In south central China’s Guizhou province sits Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture, home to nearly four million people—approximately 50% from the ethnic Miao group, and 30% from the ethnic Dong people. The mountainous landscape is lined with terraced farm fields, the valleys dotted with villages made up of traditional wooden structures, and the local festivals burst with color.
A Photo Trip to China’s Qiandongnan Prefecture
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Miao people wearing ethnic costumes participate in the Lusheng Festival in Huangping County on November 15, 2017, in Qiandongnan Prefecture. Thousands of Miao people gathered in Huangping county to celebrate the traditional 3-day festival. Lusheng (a Miao musical instrument) contests, song and dance contests, horse races, bull fights, bird fights, cock fights, silver ornaments and embroidery competitions are held during the event. #
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Villagers watch bulls fight against each other during a competition in Congjiang County on February 24, 2018. 36 bulls from surrounding villages competed event held on the ninth day of the Lunar New Year. #
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Miao people perform a dragon dance with fireworks to celebrate the Lantern Festival in Taijiang County on February 22, 2016, in Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture. #
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An ethnic Dong minority girl applies makeup before participating in a Kam Grand Choir performance in Tongguan village of Liping county, on November 12, 2011. More than 2,000 local ethnic Dong minority residents gathered to participate in a Kam Grand Choir performance in memory of 18 young couples who sacrificed themselves for love, according to a local tale. #
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Dong people dance during the "Caigetang" on the fourth day of Lunar New Year on January 31, 2017. As a traditional rite, Dong people perform "Caigetang" to worship the gods and pray for harvest, human, and animal prosperity. #
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Miao people carry a dog in a folk festival parade in Jiaobang Village of Jianhe County on September 2, 2017 in Qiandongnan Prefecture. Miao people dress dogs with human clothes and carry them in wooden chairs during a festival to show gratitude to dogs for helping Miao ancestors to find water, learn to be grateful and to advocate the equality among all things. #
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Miao people wearing festive costumes celebrate traditional "Gayaguo" Festival in Datang Village on April 27, 2018, in Qiandongnan Prefecture. Miao people play Lusheng, scramble for pheasants and wrap themselves with mud to celebrate Gayaguo - after which they will be busy with spring plowing. #
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Dong children compete in a wrestling competition at Kengdong Village on March 31, 2018 in Qiandongnan Prefecture. Villagers from 13 ethnic minority groups attended the annual wrestling competition to welcome spring harvest. #
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Dong children take part in a Taiguanren Festival ('Carrying the Governors Parade' in Chinese) to wish for favorable weather in the new year in Liping County on February 22, 2018 in Qiandongnan Prefecture. "Taiguanren" is a folk custom of Dong people in which children or guests dressed up are carried by people to patrol around the village. #
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Spectators watch a traditional thrush fight to celebrate the upcoming New Year in Jianhe County on January 24, 2018. Miao and Dong people have a long tradition of raising and training birds. #
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