Innovation, Tradition, Diversity and The People of GUIZHOU

Never in my wildest dreams did I think I'd end up traveling to China. To tell you honestly, the differences could have all made this not happen, but I was smitten with the thought of meeting their people. This, and a journey to an unfamiliar place that most folks wouldn't define as a tourist destination. Going there with a mission to discover its charm, see the kindness of its people away from the preconceived notions and see its potential, or for what it is when we get there.

We flew via China Southern Airlines from Manila and set forth to Guangzhou then Guiyang Longdongbao International Airport (took over 8 hours + with layovers) which is located in their capital city called Guiyang. 

 

Looked over the window since it was a daytime flight and saw how various structures that looked like factories, condominium units, villages weren't just plain concrete, but filled with intricate Chinese designs, sensibly placed solar panels and a network of river ways transporting goods, people and a behemoth quantity of industrial products they'd be known to carry. Who was I to think they'd be just farmlands, forests and mountain ranges when recent economic onlookers specifically identify them as booming digital data hubs. Guizhou houses data centers from the biggest corporations in the world, as they are blessed with weather conditions apt for cooling them au naturelle, and little to no additional infrastructure they can't handle. Guizhou is filled to the brim with engineering marvels, one of which is the BALINGHE BRIDGE. This was our first destination. (Warning: Picture Heavy Post Ahead!)

 

 

The Baling River Bridge 

The Baling River Bridge spans a little over 2 kilometers, stands over 370 meters in height.

Seeing this made me ask why they built this in the middle of nowhere. According to locals and our tour guides, China doesn't dole handouts, but built gigantic structures like these to ultimately stimulate economic activity and shorten travel between places like Kunming and Guiyang. It took them a little over 4 years before completing this gigantic project and traffic flowed. They had engineers and manpower which is why they did it quite fast. We walked underneath it and saw the structure, and knew why it was apt for bungee and bridge walks as part of activities. While it isn't still flocked by foreigners, local tourists have frequented this place including the museum underneath one of its towers. This also shortened what could have taken them almost an hour into 4 minutes, hence the remarkable amount of lives changed in Guanling County and the two cities. This structure looks amazing in person, but for a person who is afraid of heights, I'd reckon you to stay somewhere cozy. 

The HUANGGUOSHU WATERFALL

The largest waterfall in China and East Asia, people have been talking non stop about this natural wonder frequented by people. This is 77 meters high, over 100 meters wide and found in the city of Anshun in Guizhou. As strong as the current might have seem during our visit, we were told this was actually a water level lower than usual (which means rains would make this a raging body of water, plan to go here during those months). It smelled fresh, enveloped by a forest, and takes a small hike to get there. Before the actual waterfall, you go through several bonsai trees older than you and me displayed plus a few shops to purchase snacks and supplies to make sure you stay fed and hydrated. 

You can opt for a full walking route or a 3 tier long escalator to get to the waterfall grounds.

 

One of the paths lead to a suspension bridge to go behind the waterfalls, raincoats were provided

Going back, you can walk on top of this bridge which also looks like those ancient looking ones in Chinese movies.

A nearer view of Huangguangshu Waterfall, we felt small in front of it. You could feel the mist touch you every now and then.

The name Huangguoshu came from a fruit bearing tree found mostly in this area, a yellow citrus which they encouraged to eat and have as juice. The amount of people here impressed me. There were mostly locals from nearby towns and provinces in China. Not much foreigners, which means they have sufficient population to support tourism in the region. This reminds me how we could turn a lot of our natural wonders into a place with local tourists too, maybe with the proper government help in creating structures that could accommodate local and international visitors. Prepare it even before the influx of tourists come.

The DONG and MIAO Indigenous Ethnic Minority

After alighting the train at Congjiang Station, this is what you'll see outside.

The DONG and MIAO are the more prominent ethnic minority groups found in Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture in Guizhou (who also co exist in this prefecture in China). We had to take a few hours of travel via a High Speed Bullet Train from Guiyang North Railway Station to a place called Congjiang County (a little less than 2 hours to get there). It was the fastest thing I've ever rode (seen 230-250 km per hour at one point). We felt transported to kung fu times, as those classic looking temples surfaced once we went out of the Congjiang station. We traveled a bit more to Zhaoxing Hotel to freshen up, have lunch and then proceeded to a tour of the Zhaoxing Dong Village on foot. 

I wasn't keen on wearing their traditional garb at first, but heck, I saw one that resembles a cow which was fit for my site KUMAGCOW. Then I realized, nobody knew me in China so I'd be a fool to miss this chance and dance with them. The tour guide was also recognized by their President Xi Jinping, and having her personally teaching us the ways was something I couldn't pass.  

This was at the entrance of the village, (fantastic landscape right?) and wearing Dong costumes is highly recommended.

They have rice fields, terraces much like ours.

 

Pardon the face as I got tired from learning the dance of the Dong people

They fancy silver, prints their history on textile, including pheasants and water buffaloes (carabao) in their designs and outfits. (Group photos by Ed Uy).

Most of the Dong people live in river valleys and lowlands. They have drum towers that resemble pagodas which have village squares to hold events at night. They also have Wind and Rain Bridges where much of their social life happen, including courtship and interaction with others. Some of our press friends from Baguio actually liken their own Igorot/Mountain Province customs to those that are practiced here. Imagine, we're thousands of miles apart but relatively have the same concept happen in different tribes. That made me think a bit, because in life, we're probably looking for our differences... but we're practically, somehow... the same.  

At the square, they performed several rituals, song, dance and theater like performances which proved our hunch right. They also did a Kam Grand Song, inviting much of the guests, local or not to sing and dance with them later on in the evening. This was also done over bonfire, as a form of entertainment which we loved too (and they threw candies to sweeten the event, we caught some for personal consumption). 

The Drum Tower

Our tour guide even taught us how to make rice cakes from scratch, pounding that took a lot of effort! They added peanut powder to make it good and extra special.

 

Zhaoxing Dong Village at night

They have clean waterways, bridges and food outlets at the Dong Village

The Miao people on the other hand have roots from the Hmong of Southeast Asia and South China. They live in the mountains, build houses on hills and slopes. If you want to see their story, much of it is imprinted in their clothes adorned with embroidery, threads, and silver jewelry. We drove almost 3 hours to get there. They are also known for their butterfly, bird and water buffalo design. We visited the Langde MIAO Minority Village to see how they live. They also gave a performance at their square which I loved because of the manner they depict courtship back in the day. While the women are in one side of the mountain, they sing like birds chirping, tweeting and the men from the farm would answer back with chants and utilize musical instruments I have never seen before.

 

We were welcomed with rice wine and a lot of colorfully garbed MIAO people. They also started performing at the main square just a stones throw away from their museum.

Elderly Miao women dressed in intricately designed long skirts with flowers, and silver headdresses 

Miao men and women line up then ask audience to participate in their dance going around the pole

Singing in a chorus, the Miao women took their best colorful outfits and danced the morning away

Closeup shot of colorful clothing, silver necklaces and headdress 

A lot of people were watching even if we were under the sun, the cool breeze took care of it

Miao elderly men use unique looking wind instruments which reminds me of the Australian didgeridoo 

Miao women perform with colorful fabric while singing like birds in a chorus

We've only seen this small town with the Miao people in Guizhou, but there are others in Yunan, Hunan and Sichuan. Their food is also something to appreciate too because despite of not having salt as a condiment in much of their cooking, they've managed a way to utilize chili, do fermentation, use tomatoes for their cooking. While it's different from ours, I have deep appreciation on what they prepared during a ceremonial lunch that afternoon. Long tables are a part of their culture, to welcome guests and just plainly come together as a people. They also taught us the art of Batik, with natural plants, roots, they use wax to create the designs and put it on textile for clothes and artwork. For those at the Langde Miao Minority Village, they are gentle people with much passion to preserve their heritage, their community and family.

 

Then we went to Kaili City to visit the Quiangdongnan Minority Museum

They explained to us the other ethnic minority groups and taught us where they are located in the province of Guizhou

We met the designer who made Miao themed outfits, she was so kind and talked to us about her work. She conceptualized all the clothes in this shop just at the back of the museum. They also had jewelry.

We went to the Quiangdongnan Minority Museum in the afternoon and marveled at their efforts to explain the differences between all the minority groups. Inside, you can also use equipment showing their different music (which you can hear when you go near it). There's also a high tech monitor which you can stand in front and swipe to wear the various outfit from the minority group you want to be a part of. They also have various things in photos, to explain their rituals and displays of a real deal dragon boat (which I'm sure you are also familiar with). 

Going to China this 2026 made me experience the country in a different light. While I've been in Shenzen a couple years ago, this trip wasn't simply about shopping, making a deal, or using sign language to survive. We went deeper to understand their culture, their amazing cuisine, talked to people and connect with them on a different level. I met a lot of kind folks, some that I'd love to regard as friends now. That alone is priceless.  

Guizhou looks amazing on paper, in statistics, but even more in real life. While I could say I'm a bit well traveled, I still learned a lot of a country that most people wouldn't go and experience. We all need to stop having preconceived notions especially if we haven't experienced it first hand. I also did this with a few friends in tow, made memories with them while having the time of our lives. 

While we have differences, we can't deny that there are similarities. Maybe it's time you go off the beaten path and see why GUIZHOU for what it is. Interesting, progressive, a land of engineering wonders, where you can find your hot bowl of sour fish soup, and the most treasured resource of its charm, the people. 

We would like to send our huge thanks to former Senator Nikki Coseteng, the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Associations of the Philippines Foundation Inc., and the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc. for organizing our tour to Guizhou. This trip was that good.