Shiqiaocun Village in Kaili, Qiandongnan

Shiqiao Village is a world-famous ancient papermaking Miao village, a national 3A scenic area, and home to a National Intangible Cultural Heritage (2006) – Shiqiao Ancient Papermaking (bark paper craftsmanship). It gets its name from a natural stone arch bridge spanning the Nangao River, with over 1,500 years of papermaking heritage dating back to the mid-Tang Dynasty, and remains free to visit 24/7.

Basic Information

• Location: Northern Danzhai County, Nangao Township, Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture, ~50 km from Kaili City, ~2.5 km west of Nangao Township government. It sits along the Nangao River, surrounded by green karst mountains.
• Name Origin: Derived from a natural stone arch bridge connecting the cliffs on both banks of the Nangao River, a landmark of the village.
• Demographics & Heritage Status: A predominantly Miao village with ~313 households (~1253 people); ~60 households specialize in papermaking. Honours include: 2006 National Intangible Heritage (bark paper making), 2011 National Intangible Heritage Productive Protection Demonstration Base, 2017 National 3A Tourist Attraction, 2021 Guizhou Provincial Key Rural Tourism Village.
• Climate: Mild subtropical mountain climate, average annual temperature ~15°C; spring (April–May) and autumn (October–November) are the most comfortable for travel.

Core Highlights

1. • Chuan Dong (穿洞): The oldest cave workshop, over 1,500 meters deep, with constant temperature and abundant spring water, ideal for making soft, durable bark paper. You can watch the entire manual process: soaking and boiling mulberry bark, beating fibers, forming paper with a bamboo sieve, drying, and finishing.
   • Bark Paper Products: Mainly white bark paper and rare colored bark paper; some colored paper is exported to Australia and Southeast Asia for greeting cards, bags, and decorations. The village also produces “Yingchun Paper” for restoring ancient books in the National Library and the Palace Museum.
   • Cai Lun Worship: Villagers hold annual ceremonies to honor Cai Lun, the inventor of paper in Chinese legend
2. Natural Stone Arch Bridge & River SceneryThe iconic natural stone arch bridge over the Nangao River; nearby are the “Wanjuan Book Cliff” (万卷书崖) and cliff-side workshops. The river valley is clear and peaceful, with terraced fields and Miao stilted buildings along the banks, perfect for photography.、
3. Traditional Miao Culture & ArchitectureRows of traditional wooden stilted houses with dark tiles line the village lanes, decorated with red lanterns. You can see Miao women in traditional costumes weaving and dyeing, and experience local customs during festivals like the Miao New Year and Sisters’ Meal Festival. Local snacks include glutinous rice cakes, sour soup fish, and Miao-style braised pork.

Visiting Logistics & Tips

• How to Get There
  1. High-speed Rail+Taxi/Charter: Take the high-speed train to Kaili South Station, then take a taxi/charter (~1 hour) to Shiqiao Village.
  2. Coach: Take a coach from Kaili Bus Station to Danzhai, then transfer to a rural bus to Nangao Township, and walk or take a tricycle to the village.
  3. Self-driving: Navigate to “丹寨石桥村”; mountain roads are paved but narrow, drive carefully.
• Best Time to Visit: Morning (to avoid crowds and see mist over the river); autumn for golden terraces; weekends often have papermaking experience activities.
• Etiquette & Photography: Ask permission before photographing villagers or entering their workshops/houses; do not litter in the river or caves.
• Experience Activities: Many workshops offer hands-on papermaking (including making flower-inlaid paper) for a small fee, a great souvenir option.

Recommended Itinerary

Half-day: Visit the natural stone bridge → Chuan Dong cave workshop → watch papermaking demonstration → try hands-on papermaking → stroll the village lanes and take photos of stilted buildings and the river.