Xijiang Miao New Year

Background

Miao New Year is the Miao people's new year and one of their most important traditional festivals. The timing is not the same everywhere; around Leishan it is mostly celebrated on an auspicious day around the tenth lunar month, and the festivities last anywhere from three or five days to more than ten. Leishan County, where the Miao form the majority, holds some of the largest celebrations. In recent years the Leishan Miao New Year events have run for more than a month, with the opening ceremony, a grand parade of thousands in festive dress, and the long-table banquet held in Leishan's county town. Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village lies in Xijiang Town, Leishan County, with the Baishui River running through it and more than a thousand stilt houses built up the hillside. During the festival you can see lusheng and bronze drum performances, bullfighting, and Miao song and dance; at other times you can visit the Miao Museum and the silver ornament and batik workshops, and enjoy the lights of the stilt houses at night.

Local customs

• Watch the grand parade of thousands in festive dress
• listen to lusheng and bronze drum performances
• take your seat at the long-table banquet as arranged
• watch bullfighting and Miao song and dance
• visit the Miao Museum and the silver ornament and batik workshops

Travel tips

• Each village chooses its own date according to custom, so the Gregorian dates change every year. The 2026 Leishan Miao New Year opening ceremony is scheduled for November 12, with events running from November 1 to December 2
• the 2027 dates are subject to local announcement. Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village is not far from Leishan's county town and can be reached by road from Kaili or Leishan
• accommodation is tight during the festival, so book ahead. Ticket prices are subject to official announcement.

2027 schedule

• The 2027 Leishan Miao New Year is expected around November
• exact dates are pending local announcement.