Shui Ethnic Group

Unique Farming customs of Shui Ethnic Group

Unique Farming customs of Shui Ethnic Group

Unique Farming customs of Shui Ethnic Group

Unique Farming customs of Shui Ethnic Group

Unique Farming customs of Shui Ethnic Group

Unique Farming customs of Shui Ethnic Group

Unique Farming customs of Shui Ethnic Group

Unique Farming customs of Shui Ethnic Group

Unique Farming customs of Shui Ethnic Group

The Shui Ethnic Group (水族) is one of China’s most ancient minority groups, known for its deep cultural roots and distinctive heritage system. The Shui people call themselves “Sui (睢 suī)”, and their language belongs to the Zhuang-Dong branch of the Sino-Tibetan language family. One of the most remarkable cultural treasures is the Shui Script (水书), a pictographic writing system often described as a “living fossil of ancient characters”.

According to the Seventh National Census, the Shui population is about 524,400. Nearly 94.7% live in Guizhou Province (贵州省), especially in the southern Qiannan region. Historically, the Shui ancestors originated from the Central Plains near the ancient Sui River area, migrated south during the Shang Dynasty, and gradually formed settlements along the upper Duliu River (都柳江) and Longjiang River regions.

Their culture preserves traces of Shang-era civilization while blending Baiyue ethnic traditions. The core cultural symbols include Shui Script (水书), Horse-tail Embroidery (马尾绣), Duan Festival (端节), and Ganlan-style Wooden Houses (干栏式木楼), forming a unique cultural identity that continues to thrive in modern China.

Geographic Distribution of Shui Ethnic Group

Core Region: Qiannan, Guizhou

The most concentrated Shui population is found in Sandu Shui Autonomous County (三都水族自治县), the only Shui autonomous county in China. With about 257,600 Shui people, it accounts for nearly half of the national Shui population. Key towns include Jiujian Town (九阡镇), Tingpai Town (廷牌镇), and Zhonghe Town (中和镇), where traditional Shui culture remains highly preserved.

In Libo County (荔波县), Shui communities mainly live in Shuipu Village (水浦村) and Jiarong Town (佳荣镇). In Duyun City (都匀市), Shui populations are distributed in Guiran Shui Township (归兰水族乡), while Dushan County (独山县) has smaller communities in Shangsizhen (上司镇) and Xiasizhen (下司镇).

Scattered Communities in Other Regions

In Rongjiang County (榕江县), Shui people live in Xinghua Shui Township (兴华水族乡) and the famous Bameng Shui Village (八蒙水寨), one of China’s earliest traditional villages. Smaller populations are also found in Danzhai County (丹寨县), Leishan County (雷山县), Liupanshui City (六盘水市), and Guiyang City (贵阳市).

Outside Guizhou, Shui communities appear in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region (广西壮族自治区), especially in Huanjiang County (环江县) and Rongshui County (融水县), as well as in Gugan Shui Township (古敢水族乡) in Yunnan Province.

Shui Traditional Architecture: Ganlan Wooden Houses

The traditional dwelling of the Shui people is the Ganlan-style Wooden House (干栏式吊脚楼), built along mountains and rivers. These houses use interlocking wooden structures without nails, making them durable for centuries.

The lower level is used for livestock and storage, while the upper floor serves as living space with a central hearth. Roofs are usually covered with wooden shingles or tiles, and the houses often feature elegant curved eaves.

Well-preserved villages include Zhenlei Village (怎雷村) in Sandu County and Shui’ao Village (水坳寨) in Banniao Village (摆鸟村), as well as Bameng Shui Village (八蒙水寨) in Rongjiang County. These settlements are recognized as traditional Chinese villages and represent the most authentic Shui architectural landscape.

Shui Traditional Clothing and Horse-tail Embroidery

Shui clothing is known for its elegant simplicity and deep symbolic meaning. The main colors are blue, black, and dark green, reflecting harmony with nature.

Men typically wear short blue jackets, wide trousers, cloth headscarves, and embroidered belts. Women wear long gowns with embroidered cuffs and collars, paired with pleated skirts and silver ornaments such as necklaces, bracelets, and hairpins.

A key highlight is Horse-tail Embroidery (马尾绣), a nationally recognized intangible cultural heritage. This technique uses horsehair wrapped in colored silk threads, creating raised, durable embroidery patterns. Common motifs include water waves, bronze drums, flowers, birds, and dragons, symbolizing prosperity and protection.

The best experience of this craft can be found in Zhonghe Town (中和镇) in Sandu County, the core transmission base of Shui embroidery culture.

Shui Festivals and Ritual Life

Duan Festival (端节): The Longest Festival in the World

The Duan Festival (端节) is considered the Shui New Year and lasts 49 days. It usually falls between the 8th and 10th lunar months.

Before the festival, families prepare glutinous rice wine, pork, and a signature dish called Fish Wrapped in Chives (鱼包韭菜). During the festival, activities include horse racing at Duan Slope, bronze drum dancing, singing competitions, and traditional banquets. It is the most important cultural celebration of the Shui people.

Mao Festival (卯节): Oriental Valentine’s Day

Held in the 6th lunar month, the Mao Festival (卯节) is a romantic gathering for young people. Men and women meet on Mao slopes, singing antiphonal songs known as “Xuzao (旭早)”, exchanging embroidered tokens, and forming relationships through music and dance.

Jingxia Festival (敬霞节): Ritual for Rain and Harvest

This festival is dedicated to the rain deity and held every 12 years in grand ceremonies. Villagers in Sandu County (三都县) build altars, offer livestock and rice wine, and perform bronze drum dances to pray for favorable weather and harvests.

Sunianxi Festival (苏宁喜节)

Celebrated during the Lunar New Year period, this festival focuses on children’s blessings. Children wear new clothes, wash their hands by rivers for purification, and receive gifts and sweets from elders.

Shui Intangible Cultural Heritage

Shui Script (水书)

The Shui Script (水书) is one of the most mysterious ancient writing systems in China, with more than 2,500 characters. It records astronomy, divination, rituals, agriculture, and history. Only specialized ritual masters known as “Shui script experts” can interpret it.

Bronze Drum Dance (铜鼓舞)

The Bronze Drum Dance (铜鼓舞) represents ancient Shui spiritual beliefs. The bronze drum is considered sacred, symbolizing power and ancestral protection. The dance is performed during major festivals such as Duan Festival and Mao Festival in villages like Zhenlei Village (怎雷村).

Shui Paper-cutting (水族剪纸)

This folk art is used in embroidery patterns, festival decorations, and ritual ceremonies. Designs include flowers, birds, fish, and water patterns, widely preserved in Sandu and Libo regions.

Shui Ethnic Cuisine: Sour, Spicy & Rice-Based Flavors

Shui cuisine is famous for its sour and spicy taste profile, with glutinous rice as the staple food. Fish-based dishes are especially important in rituals and daily life.

Signature Dishes

Fish Wrapped in Chives (鱼包韭菜) is the most representative dish, prepared with fresh carp, chives, rice, and spices, steamed or boiled for festival rituals.

Sour Soup Fish (酸汤鱼) combines rice field fish with tomato or pickled vegetable sour broth, creating a refreshing and spicy flavor.

Glutinous Rice (糯米饭) is served with meat, pickles, and fish dishes during festivals, symbolizing unity and prosperity.

Glutinous Rice Wine (糯米酒) is a homemade fermented drink widely served during celebrations.

Shui Cultural Tourism Attractions

Sandu Shui Culture Museum (贵州水族文化博物馆)

Located in Sandu Shui Autonomous County (三都水族自治县), this is the only Shui-themed museum in China, displaying over 2,000 cultural relics including Shui Script documents, embroidery, bronze drums, and traditional tools.

Wanhu Shui Village (万户水寨)

A cultural scenic area featuring Shui architecture, museums, ethnic villages, and craft workshops. Visitors can experience embroidery, script reading, and traditional cuisine.

Gulu Egg-laying Cliff Scenic Area (姑鲁产蛋崖景区)

Located in Sandu County, this geological wonder features mysterious stone eggs embedded in cliffs. Surrounding Shui villages preserve traditional wooden houses and cultural performances.

Yaoren Mountain National Forest Park (尧人山国家森林公园)

A natural forest reserve with high biodiversity, waterfalls, and hiking trails, offering a peaceful ecological experience in Shui regions.

Duliu River Scenic Area (都柳江风景名胜区)

The mother river of the Shui people, offering river cruising, canyon scenery, and traditional riverside villages.

Famous Shui Villages

Zhenlei Village (怎雷村)

A UNESCO-style traditional village in Sandu County, featuring hundreds of ancient wooden houses, rice terraces, and preserved Shui rituals.

Bameng Shui Village (八蒙水寨)

Located in Rongjiang County, this village is surrounded by ancient trees and rivers, preserving Duan Festival rituals and bronze drum culture.

Shuipu Village (水浦村)

A historic village in Libo County, known as the hometown of revolutionary figure Deng Enming (邓恩铭), combining Shui culture and historical heritage.

Shui’ao Village (水坳寨)

Located in Banniao Village (摆鸟村), this mountain settlement preserves weaving and embroidery traditions.

Shui Ethnic Travel Routes

1. 5-Day / 4-Night Deep Cultural Tour (Sandu + Libo + Rongjiang Core Route)

Day 1: Arrival in Sandu County (三都水族自治县) → Visit Guizhou Shui Culture Museum (贵州水族文化博物馆) → Explore Wanhu Shui Village (万户水寨) → Experience Horse-tail Embroidery (马尾绣) and Shui Script (水书) reading → Overnight in Wanhu Shui Village homestay (Ganlan wooden house stay)

Day 2: Sandu → Gulu Egg-laying Cliff Scenic Area (姑鲁产蛋崖景区) → Explore stone egg cliffs and Shui ancient village → Experience rice pounding (糍粑) making → Yaoren Mountain National Forest Park (尧人山国家森林公园) hiking and waterfall visit → Overnight in Sandu town hotel

Day 3: Sandu → Zhenlei Village (怎雷村) → Visit ancient Ganlan wooden house cluster and rice terraces → Learn Bronze Drum Dance (铜鼓舞) → Shui’ao Village (水坳寨) embroidery and weaving experience → Overnight in Zhenlei Village homestay

Day 4: Sandu → Libo County (荔波县) → Shuipu Village (水浦村) → Visit Deng Enming (邓恩铭) former residence → Learn Shui Script (水书) → Overnight in Libo county hotel

Day 5: Libo → Rongjiang County (榕江县) → Bameng Shui Village (八蒙水寨) → Ancient tree village exploration and Shui song & dance performance → Return journey

2. 3-Day / 2-Night Essential Shui Culture Tour

Day 1: Arrival in Sandu County → Visit Shui Culture Museum (贵州水族文化博物馆) → Wanhu Shui Village (万户水寨) cultural experience → Overnight in Wanhu homestay

Day 2: Sandu → Gulu Egg-laying Cliff Scenic Area (姑鲁产蛋崖景区) → Zhenlei Village (怎雷村) ancient village exploration → Overnight in Zhenlei Village homestay

Day 3: Yaoren Mountain National Forest Park (尧人山国家森林公园) hiking → Return

Travel Experience Highlights

Cultural immersion activities include Shui Script interpretation, Horse-tail Embroidery workshops, Bronze Drum Dance learning, and traditional Shui costume photography.
Festival participation includes Duan Festival horse racing, Mao Festival singing gatherings, Jingxia ritual ceremonies, and long-table feasts.
Village experiences focus on staying in Ganlan wooden houses in Zhenlei Village (怎雷村), Bameng Shui Village (八蒙水寨), and Shuipu Village (水浦村).

Nature exploration includes hiking in Yaoren Mountain (尧人山), river cruising on Duliu River (都柳江), and photography in rice terraces and ancient villages.

Popular local food includes Fish Wrapped in Chives (鱼包韭菜), Sour Soup Fish (酸汤鱼), Glutinous Rice (糯米饭), and Shui Rice Wine (糯米酒).