Geographic Location
Shangguo Village is located in Xisa Town (西洒镇), Xichou County (西畴县), Wenshan Zhuang and Miao Autonomous Prefecture (云南省文山壮族苗族自治州). It is approximately 9 kilometers from Xichou County. The village is built along the mountains and rivers, facing south with good ventilation and sunlight. It is situated on a semi-hillside, with dense forests on the mountain and a network of fields below.
Cultural and Historical Background
Shangguo Village, also known as “Sun Village,” is called “Ban Tang Guo” (版唐菓) in Zhuang language, meaning “the place where the sun is invited back.” This ancient Zhuang ethnic village has a history of thousands of years and still preserves a relatively complete set of traditional Zhuang-style homes. Out of the village’s 75 households, 58 live in traditional earth and wood structures arranged in courtyard-style homes, which are rich in local and ethnic characteristics.
Ethnic Customs
Shangguo Village is famous for the Zhuang ethnic “Women’s Sun Festival” (女子太阳节) ritual. Every year, on the first day of the second lunar month, the village holds this ceremony. On this day, the women of the village wear traditional Zhuang attire, bathe in the river for purification, and gather at the sacred tree altar. The ritual is presided over by the “Bo Bing” (博丙), an elder responsible for this ceremony. A red rooster is offered to invite the sun. After the ritual, the women share the offerings and enjoy a feast on the riverbank, while the men are not allowed to participate.
Climate and Best Time to Visit
Xisa Town is located on the southeastern edge of the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau, with an elevation that rises from the center to the west. The southwest is high, and the northeast is low. The best time to visit is from May to October each year, when the weather is cool and suitable for outdoor activities.
Recommended Attractions, Visit Time, and Entrance Fees
Shangguo Village: Experience Zhuang ethnic culture and traditional handicrafts. Suggested visit time: Half a day. Entrance fee: Free.
Women’s Sun Festival Ceremony: Held on the first day of the second lunar month, it is one of the most representative traditional festivals of the Zhuang people in the border areas of Yunnan and Guangxi.
Transportation
Public Transport: Take a bus from Xichou County to Xisa Town, which takes about 15 minutes. Then, either walk or take local transport to Shangguo Village.
By Car: From Xichou County, drive along local roads to Xisa Town, and then proceed to Shangguo Village, covering a total distance of about 9 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 serve fresh vegetables and poultry.
Shopping
Ethnic Handicrafts: Purchase traditional Zhuang clothing, embroidery, and other unique handicrafts.
Local Specialties: Guangnan iron-skin Dendrobium (广南铁皮石斛) and Diyi tea (底圩茶) are popular local products.
Accommodation
Guesthouses: Stay in a Zhuang ethnic village guesthouse to experience local customs.
Hotels in County: Several hotels are available in Xichou County.
Travel Tips
Respect Local Customs: When visiting and participating in folk activities, please respect the local residents’ customs and habits.
Environmental Protection: While visiting natural scenic areas, be sure to protect the environment and avoid littering.
Suggested Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Xichou County, check into a hotel, and travel to Shangguo Village in Xisa Town to explore the village and experience local ethnic culture.
Day 2: If the timing is right, attend the “Women’s Sun Festival” ceremony and experience the Zhuang people’s traditional culture.
Shangguo Village is a place full of 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 rich ethnic culture. We hope your journey is filled with joy and unforgettable memories.
