Shangzhe Piancun Village of Zhetu Town in Guangnan County, Wenshan
Geographic Location
Shangzhe Pian Village is located in Zhetu Township (者兔乡), Guangnan County (广南县), Wenshan Zhuang and Miao Autonomous Prefecture (云南省文山壮族苗族自治州). The village lies in a semi-mountainous area, 53 kilometers from the Zhetu Township government and 63 kilometers from Guangnan County. The village is surrounded by mountains on three sides, with a mountain behind and a water source in front. The surrounding mountains form a natural screen in the north and south, undulating gently.
Cultural and Historical Background
Shangzhe Pian Village is a typical Zhuang ethnic village, formed during the Qing Dynasty. In December 2016, Shangzhe Pian Village was listed as one of the fourth batch of China’s Traditional Villages. The village preserves many traditional buildings and folk customs, making it an important part of Zhuang traditional culture.
Ethnic Customs
Shangzhe Pian Village boasts rich ethnic customs, including traditional Zhuang festivals and rituals. The village features ancient Zhuang-style stilt houses (吊脚楼), with clear ethnic characteristics and a strong cultural atmosphere. Additionally, local customs include traditional crafts such as spinning, weaving, embroidery, pounding glutinous rice cakes (舂粑粑), dyeing rice with flower patterns (染花米饭), and frying ritual dragon cakes (炸祭龙粑粑), providing an authentic experience of local traditions.
Climate and Best Time to Visit
Shangzhe Pian Village has a subtropical monsoon climate, with an average annual temperature of 21°C and annual rainfall of 1,056 millimeters. The best time to visit is from May to October, when the weather is cool and ideal for outdoor activities.
Recommended Attractions, Visit Time, and Entrance Fees
Shangzhe Pian Village: Experience Zhuang ethnic customs and traditional handicrafts. Suggested visit time: Half a day. Entrance fee: Free.
Surrounding Attractions: Nearby sites include the Xiyangjiang Grand Canyon (西洋江大峡谷), Bamei Village (坝美村), and the Nong Clan Tusi Government Office (侬氏土司衙署), which are perfect for further exploration of the region’s natural beauty and historical culture.
Transportation
Public Transport: Take a bus from Guangnan County to Zhetu Township, which takes about 1 hour. Then, transfer to local transport or walk to Shangzhe Pian Village.
By Car: From Guangnan County, drive along local roads to Zhetu Township, then proceed to Shangzhe Pian Village, covering a total distance of about 63 kilometers.
Local Cuisine
Zhuang Ethnic Specialties: Taste traditional Zhuang dishes such as sticky rice dumplings (粽子), glutinous rice cakes (糯米粑), and cured pig feet (腊猪脚).
Farmhouse Cuisine: Local farmhouse restaurants offer fresh vegetables and poultry.
Shopping
Ethnic Handicrafts: Purchase traditional Zhuang clothing, embroidery, and other unique handicrafts.
Local Specialties: Popular local products include Guangnan iron-skin Dendrobium (广南铁皮石斛), Diyi tea (底圩茶), and Guangnan eight-treasure rice (广南八宝米).
Accommodation
Guesthouses: Choose to stay in a Zhuang ethnic village guesthouse to experience local customs.
Hotels in County: Several hotels are available in Guangnan County.
Travel Tips
Respect Local Customs: Please respect the local residents’ customs and habits when visiting and participating in folk activities.
Environmental Protection: Be sure to protect the environment when visiting natural scenic areas and avoid littering.
Suggested Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Guangnan County, check into a hotel, and travel to Zhetu Township to visit Shangzhe Pian Village and experience Zhuang ethnic culture.
Day 2: Visit surrounding attractions such as Xiyangjiang Grand Canyon or Bamei Village to enjoy the local natural scenery and explore further cultural sites.
Shangzhe Pian Village is a place rich in ethnic charm and cultural heritage. Here, you can experience the warm hospitality of the Zhuang people, enjoy the unique natural scenery, and immerse yourself in the abundant ethnic culture. We hope your journey is filled with joy and unforgettable memories.
