# Laodong Miao Village (老洞苗寨)

Western Hunan (Xiangxi), Hunan Province · Central China, China · Guidebook rating: 4/5
Canonical: https://cnatrip.com/en/places/laodong-miao-village
Language: en

## Key facts

- **Admission:** ¥148
- **Time needed:** 2–3 hours
- **Getting there:** Getting to Laodong Miao Village is still not very convenient. You need to take a bus, then a boat, then another bus.
- **Good for:** Old Towns & Villages, Photography, Ethnic Culture, Nature

## About Laodong Miao Village

Laodong Miao Village is located in Fenghuang County in western Hunan and is the oldest Miao village in western Hunan, with more than 600 years of history. It is a stone town laid out in the nine-palace, eight-trigram pattern (九宫八卦), with ingenious design, and its homes are all connected to one another. Here you can see one of the most original Miao cultural traditions, liangcai (亮彩), as well as the most mysterious and striking shamanic practices of western Hunan: 'driving corpses' (赶尸), 'casting gu' (放蛊), and 'summoning immortals' (降仙).

## Tips from the guidebook

- 1. Cross the Calm Lake: From Fenghuang Ancient Town, take a dedicated Laodong shuttle to Changtangang Reservoir, then switch to a sightseeing boat. The mountains are dark blue-green, fishermen's songs drift in and out, and the scenery is full of poetry and painting.
- 2. Hike the Gorge: Leave the boat and explore the quiet gorge. Highlights include Elephant Trunk Hill and Tortoise Rock, full of rustic charm.
- 3. Visit the Village: Pass through natural stone caves of marvellous craftsmanship to enter Laodong Miao Village, and admire its ancient, distinctive stone architecture.

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Source: China Self-Guided Travel 2025 (《中国自助游》, Tianjin Science & Technology Press, Aug 2024), p. 1976. Prices, hours and transport details are as printed in the August 2024 edition and may have changed. Always confirm with the venue before you travel.
Site: China Trip (https://cnatrip.com) — independent China travel guide in 13 languages.