From the villages of Guizhou to the world

At the Langde Miao Minority Village, nestled in the mountains of the Qiandongnan Autonomous Prefecture in southeast Guizhou, members of the Miao ethnic group were already lined up to greet us as we alighted from our van - all in their embroidered finery and bejeweled in silver from head to toe. It was a most spectacular sight to behold as bamboo reed-pipe musicians heralded our arrival with the "12 courses of blocking wine" ceremony, a ritual welcome featuring rice wine served from buffalo horns that expresses friendship and hospitality.

One can explore the village's multi-story Diaojiaolou wooden stilt houses, which also house craft studios, stores and restaurants. Built above the ground and supported by wooden pillars, they adapt perfectly to the mountainous environment, reminding us of the ancient French town of Mont Saint-Michel, where trails of descents and ascents make exploration exciting.