Xijiang Miao Village: Movie fame and living Miao heritage

Deep within the misty mountains of southwest China's Guizhou Province, One-Thousand-Household Miao village of Xijiang has risen to nationwide fame as the filming location for "UFO fell from the Sky," a segment in the blockbuster movie My People, My Homeland. Behind the village's cinematic glamour lies an ancient ethnic land brimming with time-honored traditions, waiting for the world to explore its profound cultural roots.

Far from the bustling tourist trails, concealed amid rows of elegant stilted wooden buildings, sits Ayou Miao Culture Museum. More than a private cultural space, it is a silent sanctuary safeguarding the fading splendors of Miao intangible cultural heritage and recording the centuries-old wisdom of the Miao people.

The four-story traditional wooden structure is the lifelong pursuit of Ayou, a dedicated inheritor of Miao batik craftsmanship. For over two decades, Ayou has spared no effort, investing her own savings to gather scattered Miao handicrafts across the region. Together with her family, she painstakingly built this museum, where every delicate beam, exquisite carving and subtle decorative detail is crafted purely by hand, bearing the temperature of time and sincere devotion.

When asked about the original intention behind building the museum, Ayou's words carry simple yet powerful determination. She hopes to break the stereotype that Miao culture only exists on movie screens, allowing visitors from all over the globe to encounter authentic ethnic traditions with their own eyes and hearts.

The museum features eight themed exhibition halls, gathering a rich array of Miao cultural treasures. Magnificent silver ornaments, gorgeous ethnic costumes, exquisite embroidery, elaborate wood carvings and delicate batik works are all on full display. These iconic cultural symbols, once vividly presented in My People, My Homeland, now unfold the real charm of Miao civilization right in front of visitors.

A visit here is never merely sightseeing, but an immersive journey into ancient crafts. Under the patient guidance of Ayou, visitors can experience the entire process of batik making: melting natural wax, drawing elegant traditional patterns and completing dyeing procedures step by step. Every finished batik piece embodies the unique aesthetics of the Miao people, letting people truly comprehend the timeless allure hidden in this millennia-old craft.

As dusk falls over the mountain village, warm-glowing horse lanterns light up the rows of stilted buildings one after another. The tranquil and dreamy night scenery reproduces the breathtaking views that once touched countless audiences in My People, My Homeland, painting a poetic picture unique to Xijiang.

It is devoted inheritors like Ayou and her family that silently hold the torch of Miao culture, protecting precious traditions from fading away with time. Movies have cast a spotlight on this remote mountain village, bringing it into the public eye. But it is these unsung cultural guardians that keep ancient ethnic heritage alive, vibrant and everlasting.

From cinematic fame to living inheritance, One-Thousand-Household Miao village of Xijiang tells a touching story of culture, persistence and passing-on. As an important part of China's diverse ethnic civilizations, Miao traditions will continue to shine brightly, welcoming the whole world to discover the endless charm of Chinese ethnic culture.