Layer upon layer of terraced fields wind through the mountains like a ladder to the sky, with stilt wooden houses appearing and disappearing in the mist like a fairyland

Jiabang Terraces In-Depth Travel Guide: Rice Waves in the Clouds and Miao Village Fireworks Jiabang Terraces are located in the western part of Congjiang County, Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture, Guizhou Province. They are the masterpiece of generations of Miao people’s farming, with terraced fields winding through the mountains like a ladder to the sky, stilt wooden houses hidden in the mist, and still preserving the globally important agricultural heritage “rice-fish-duck” ecosystem, truly a “symphony of the earth.” This guide will help you unlock the beauty of the terraces through the seasons and the authentic Miao village culture. 1. Best Time to Visit - April to May (Irrigation period): The terraces are filled with spring water, reflecting the sky and clouds like thousands of mirrors, with soft and beautiful lines like a dream, making it the golden season for photography. After rain when the sky clears, the sea of clouds surges, resembling a fairyland. - September to October (Harvest period): The rice matures, golden waves of rice layer upon layer, with intense and spectacular colors. The wooden racks for drying rice and farmers carrying rice create a unique cultural scene in the fields. - June to August (Growing period): The seedlings are lush and green, rolling like waves, full of pastoral vitality; November to March (Fallow period) occasionally has snow scenes, with clear black and white lines, elegant like ink paintings. Special activity: Around May, you can experience the Miao ethnic “Opening the Seedling Gate” intangible cultural heritage ceremony, watch villagers plow fields and release fish, and enjoy collective feasts for an immersive farming culture experience. 2. Transportation Guide 1. Getting There - High-speed train + bus + minibus: Take the high-speed train to Kaili South Station (about 1 hour from Guiyang, ticket price 74 RMB), transfer to a bus to Congjiang County (ticket price 50 RMB, 2.5 hours), then take the “Congjiang → Jiabang” rural minibus (1-2 trips daily, ticket price 30 RMB, 2 hours). - Carpool option: If you miss the minibus, you can contact the homestay owner for carpooling, about 80 RMB per person, flexible and time-saving. - Self-driving tips: Navigate to Jiabang Terraces Visitor Center. Private cars are not allowed inside the scenic area; you can park at the free parking lot and transfer to sightseeing buses. 2. Internal Transportation - Sightseeing buses are the main mode of transport, round-trip tickets cost 40-60 RMB, valid for 48 hours, with shuttle service between viewing platforms and villages, very necessary. - Short distances can be walked, walking along the ridges offers changing views, perfect for close-up appreciation of terrace details. 3. Core Activities and Must-Visit Spots 1. Must-visit Viewing Platforms - Jiache Village Viewing Platform: Overlooks tens of thousands of mu of terraces winding like a dragon into the clouds, the core spot for panoramic terrace photography. You can wait for the morning mist sunrise or watch cattle returning and smoke rising at dusk. - Secret spot on the west side of Jiaye Village: Fewer tourists, requires local guidance (10 RMB guide fee), ideal for capturing cultural documentary scenes and terraces from unique angles. - No. 6 Viewing Platform: Surrounded by indigenous residents, convenient for food and lodging, close to the sunrise viewing spot, recommended to stay at nearby homestays first. 2. In-depth Experiences - Hiking loop: Classic route is Jiache Village → Jiaye Village → Xiayao Village → return the same way, passing through terraces and Miao villages, experiencing breathtaking “one step, one scene.” - Miao village life experience: Stay in century-old wooden homestays in Jiache or Jiaye Village, learn to make Dong-style oil tea, participate in rice transplanting or threshing (seasonal), spend the night on the mountainside listening to insects and stars. - Cultural visits: Learn to sing the Miao “Flying Song” from grandmothers, experience the intangible cultural heritage “Liangbu” tie-dyeing, and during festivals join the long table feast (50 RMB per person), tasting sour soup fish while singing toasts. 4. Food and Accommodation Recommendations 1. Accommodation Options - Core area homestay: Recommended “Yunheju” in Jiache Village, located in the core viewing area, all-wood structure with terrace and viewing rooms, 300 RMB/night, includes breakfast for two and free ethnic costume photo shoots. - Cost-effective choice: Homestays near No. 6 Viewing Platform, affordable (150-300 RMB/night), convenient for sunrise and food, with a strong indigenous atmosphere. - Transit accommodation: On the return trip, stay in hostels or budget hotels in Kaili for easy transfer to the high-speed train. 2. Must-try Foods - Niubie Hotpot: Soup base made from the stomach fluid of cows fed with herbs, cooking beef that is initially bitter then sweet. Popular choices in Jiache Village are “Niubie King” and “Terrace Family,” about 40-60 RMB per person. - Rice and fish flavors: Sour soup with rice flower fish (terrace carp + wild cherry tomatoes), fried pickled fish (glutinous rice pickled for three years, served with fish mint), sour, spicy, fresh, and fragrant. - Specialty staples: Aunt Wu’s colorful glutinous rice balls at Dangniu Village entrance (5 RMB each), banana leaf-wrapped glutinous rice with roasted meat (10 RMB each), essential field food for the Miao. - Home-style delicacies: Stir-fried cured meat with bamboo shoots, stir-fried cured meat with fern, steamed chicken with glutinous rice, homestay home cooking offers a variety of flavors for about 60 RMB per person. 5. Itinerary and Budget Reference 1. Classic 3-day 2-night itinerary - Day 1: Arrival and village entry Take the high-speed train to Kaili South Station → transfer to bus to Congjiang County → take minibus/carpool to Jiabang Terraces, check into homestay, walk to Jiache Village Viewing Platform for a first look at the terraces, dinner with homestay home cooking. - Day 2: In-depth exploration Early morning climb to the viewing platform for sunrise and sea of clouds, take sightseeing bus to various platforms in the morning, hike the terrace loop or experience farming/intangible cultural heritage activities in the afternoon, shoot sunset, join the long table feast at night. - Day 3: Return and shopping Capture morning mist terraces, visit Dong village market for souvenirs, take minibus back to Congjiang County, transfer to bus to Kaili, then high-speed train home. 2. Budget reference (per person) - Transportation: 350-500 RMB (including round-trip high-speed train, bus, minibus, and local transport). - Accommodation: 300-600 RMB (2 nights in scenic area homestays, plus 1 night transit in Kaili). - Food: 145-300 RMB (50-100 RMB per day). - Others: Sightseeing bus 40-60 RMB, experience activities 40-100 RMB, souvenirs 200-300 RMB (Dong cloth scarves, homemade rice wine, honey, etc.). - Total: 1000-1800 RMB, with precise planning can be controlled within 2300 RMB.