Kaili Travel Guide

Top Things to Do in Kaili

If you don’t know how to plan your Kaili itinerary like a pro, or wondering what to do in Kaili? The following recommended activities in Kaili will be a good inspiration for you.

Visit Local Ethnic Villages

Kaili’s top highlight lies in its ethnic diversity and rich culture. For an in-depth experience of local ethnic minority culture, the best way is to visit some of the local ethnic villages where you can contact locals, experience their handicrafts, see many traditional architecture, and join in some of their ceremonies. With a seamless blend of modernity and rich tradition, the ethnic villages in Kaili are always ready to bring you a unique captivating travel experience. Below are some of the most recommended villages in Kaili:

• Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village: It is the largest Miao village in the world which is popular, yet a little commercialized. The thousands of wooden stilted houses in the village are built one next to another along the hillside, forming a spectacular view. A can’t-miss experience here is to enjoy the panoramic view of the village from viewing platforms on the opposite hill.
• Upper Langde Miao Village: This village is also called the Long Skirt Miao group because local women all wear their distinctive long skirt costumes. On a visit to Langde, locals will warmly welcome you with the grand Welcome Ceremony and their traditional singing and dancing performances.
• Matang Gejia Village: This is a small village inhabited by the Gejia people who are a branch of the Miao group, but practice their unique language and customs. The Gejia people are talented at batik and embroidery, and here you’ll get a chance to learn to make your batik with a local master.
• Shiqiao Miao Village: Besides the authentic Miao culture and customs, Shiqiao Village is especially known for its ancient papermaking, which has been passed down for about 1,500 years. Here you can follow a local villager to learn how they make durable paper with the bark of mulberry trees.
• Kongbai Miao Village: A lesser-known village on the hillside of Leigong Mountain, Kongbai Miao Village is known as the “The Last Silversmith Miao Village”, showcasing an idyllic landscape with wooden houses, rice fields, and lush forests. In Kongbai, you will not only enjoy exquisite silver artwork but also have a chance to learn to make your silver work with a master.

Participate in Local Festivals

The variety of ethnic festivals is another highlight of Kaili. Thanks to the presence of over 130 ethnic festivals throughout the year, Kaili earns the moniker “Hometown of a Hundred Festivals”. Participating in local festivals is a great way to delve deeper into local culture, and it will be an exultant experience to join locals in their joy and experience their colorful celebration activities.

Some of the most important festivals in Kaili include Lusheng Festival, Sisters’ Meal Festival, the Miao New Year, etc. See the following calendar to learn more about Kaili’s ethnic festivals with the main activities and the themes.

Kaili Festivals Calendar for 2025

Recommended Tours with Kaili Festival Experience:

6 Days Guizhou Minority Festival Immersion  

Explore Zhenyuan Ancient Town

Zhenyuan Ancient Town is a can’t-miss if you want a Guizhou tour that combines natural beauty, cultural heritage, and ethnic diversity. Boasting a history of over 2,000 years, Zhenyuan Ancient Town stands out for its large amount of well-preserved ancient folk houses, ancient alleys, and wharves along the rivers. The meandering Wuyang River flows through the town and divides it into two parts, forming it a breathtaking water town.

It is also a culturally diversified place where over 20 ethnic groups live together harmoniously. There are many important festivals and events held in Zhengyuan Ancient Town throughout the year, including the Dragon Boat Festival, the Miao New Year, etc.

Cultural Exploration in Kaili Ethnic Minority Museum

Housing over 12,000 ethnic items, the Kaili Ethnic Minority Museum provides a run-through of the history, culture, and art of the various ethnic groups in Southeast Guizhou. Its collections are categorized into different artifacts and displayed in different halls, including the Clothing Hall showing the embroidery and dyeing skills of the Miao and Dong people, and Minority Features Hall introduces the daily lives, food, entertainment, marriage, beliefs, and more of the various ethnic groups.

Visit Kaili Sunday Market

To understand a new place or a new culture, one of the best ways may be to visit a local market, where you can see how locals choose their clothing, their taste in food, and their choice of articles for daily use. And in Kaili, we recommend the Sunday Market at Kaili Old Street, which offers a snapshot of the colorful and diverse culture of the local people. The market is held every Sunday, and you can spend half a day there to take great photos or just wander around the variety of goods, such as fresh food, vegetables, fruits, craftworks, jewelry, herbs, clothing, and musical instruments. It is a perfect way to enhance your trip to Kaili.