Nangang Yao Village
The famous Millennium Yao Village, a spectacular mountain settlement with ancient Yao architecture, terraced landscapes, ethnic culture and over 1,000 years of living history in Qingyuan, Guangdong.
- City
- Qingyuan
- Address
- Nangang Village, Sanpai Town, Liannan Yao Autonomous County, Qingyuan, Guangdong Province, China
- Cost
- Free
Hidden deep within the mountains of Liannan Yao Autonomous County, Nangang Village, also known as the Millennium Yao Village is one of the oldest, largest and most culturally significant Yao settlements in China.
The village was first established during the Song Dynasty more than 1,000 years ago. Built along steep mountain slopes at an altitude of over 800 meters, the ancient settlement preserves traditional Yao architecture, stone alleys, defensive walls and centuries-old customs that continue to shape local life today.
Actually Millennium Yao Village is a part (probably the heart) of Nangang Village. The ancient settlement contains 368 preserved Ming and Qing dynasty houses in ancient stone-paved streets. The village layout follows the mountain terrain, creating a spectacular landscape of dark tiled roofs, narrow alleys and interconnected stairways.
Mountain Landscapes and Cloud Terraces
Nangang Village sits in the middle of the Hundred-Mile Yao Mountains surrounded by forested peaks, terraced rice fields looking like Oujia Terrace and other traditional farming landscapes.
The newly developed Cloud Terraces have become one of the region’s most photogenic attractions, especially during sunrise and harvest seasons.
Rural Revitalization
In recent years, Nangang Village has become an example of rural cultural revitalization in Guangdong, offering authentic experiences such as meeting people by lodging in Yao-style guesthouses and homestays or participating in local life through organic mountain farming or heritage restoration projects.
Traditional products you can learn to grow in the village include:
- 丝苗米 silk rice grown with mountain spring water
- Organic potatoes, pumpkins and konjac
- Sweet corn and peanuts
Local Yao Culture and Heritage
By preserving several forms of intangible cultural heritage, Nangang Village remains one of the most important centers of Yao ethnic culture in Guangdong. This protected heritage includes :
- Folk songs and ritual ceremonies
- 长鼓舞 Changgu Dance
- 耍歌堂 Shua Getang Festival traditions
- Yao embroidery and traditional wedding customs
NB : The famous Chinese orchestral composition 瑶族舞曲 Dance of the Yao People was inspired by the culture of this area. (Let's see Yao Museum)
Nearby Attractions
- Youling Yao Village : another traditional Yao settlement
- Hundred-Mile Yao Mountains
- Cloud Terraces
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