"Travel | Only after visiting Wujiang Village did I realize Guizhou hides such a cozy gem"

🌃 I'd always heard about Qianhu Miao Village, but when I went, it was overcrowded and overly commercialized, with exhausting uphill climbs. In contrast, Wujiang Village turned out to be a delightful surprise—fewer crowds, stunning scenery, and great value for money. Different from Qianhu Miao Village, this is a cluster of stilted houses in northern Guizhou, with over 60 buildings quietly lining the river. Sitting by the window watching lanterns reflect on the water, time slows down, and you can daydream as long as you like. The biggest surprise was getting hands-on with intangible cultural heritage. Learning to make flower paper with a master—crushing petals, scooping pulp—was fascinating. At the indigo dyeing workshop, tying and dyeing a scarf cost just 50 yuan, a wonderfully therapeutic process. Daily performances of bamboo drifting, where inheritors glide on a single bamboo pole, are free and awe-inspiring. The nightly "Eight-Cuisine Banquet" is also worth it, featuring eight ethnic dishes and the "High Mountain Flowing Water" toast—a feast for both the palate and the eyes. 🏖️ By day, enjoy breakfast on a rowing boat for 30 yuan, slurping lamb noodles while admiring stilt houses reflected in the water—photos turn out magical. Climb Huilong Pagoda to see the village spread out like a Taiji diagram, especially ethereal in the morning mist. At Workshop Street, try pounding glutinous rice or papermaking—hands-on fun that never gets old. Evenings are livelier. At 7:30 PM, hundreds of lanterns light up one by one, turning the covered bridge into a galaxy. At 8 PM, drones take flight, forming a phoenix totem—your camera won't stop clicking. By 9 PM, join the bonfire party for Lusheng dances and sky lanterns, capping off the vibe. Stay in a stilt-house homestay—open your window to Wujiang's morning mist and fall asleep to the creak of wooden planks for full immersion. Getting here is easy: a 1-hour taxi from Zunyi Station, 2-hour drive from Guiyang, or 3.5 hours from Chongqing. Pack anti-slip shoes—wet flagstones can be tricky. 🧾 Tickets cost 80 yuan, workshops start at 50 yuan, and homestays run 200+ per person—great value. Just note that dining in the scenic area is pricey, so bring snacks. If Qianhu Miao Village is like a bustling folk exhibition, Wujiang Village is a healing sanctuary. No endless climbs, just floating indigo fabrics, rowboats scattering starlight, and slow-paced days in stilt houses—pure comfort.