Situated in the northeast area of Huangping County, Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture, Feiyun Cliff (Flying Cloud Cliff, Feiyun Cave飞云崖) derives its name from a towering cliff amid luxuriant trees whose canopies resembling floating clouds. As a resort combining postcard-perfect scenery, religion appeal, ethnic flavor and cultural heritage, it ranks as a top destination of Kaili, Guizhou. Under its shell of history, modern festivals thrive. Each eighth day of the fourth lunar month will see tens of thousands of Miao, Gejia and Han Chinese congregate here to host Si Yue Ba Festival, making it one of the most thrilling havens in southwest China.

 

During Yuan dynasty (1206-1368), it was a prominent outpost along the Southern Thoroughfare which originated from Hubei and Hunan, cut through Guizhou, extended to Yunnan and finally reached countries in Southeast Asia, such as Myanmar and India. Thanks to this artery, economy prospered and cultural exchanges flourished. The enduring trade and cultural blend destined to last for the following 600 years, had bestowed Flying Cloud Cliff with an outstanding volume of architecture complex, the centerpiece of Flying Cloud Cliff.

 

Mainly distributed in a dustpan-shaped valley, the pagodas, corridors, monasteries, temples, memorial arches, pavilions, pools and courtyards blend in with the surroundings perfectly and are famous for their marvelous layout, harmonious design as well as classic, refined and elegant beauty. Incorporating Buddhism, Daoism and Confucianism, they survived two wars and underwent several expansions and rehabilitations during Ming and Qing dynasties. Bearing an air of timeworn charm and dignity, they enrich and instill unique character into this already enticing land.

 

Yuetan Monastery(Moon Pond Monastery), the core and the earliest architecture of Feiyun Cliff, was erected by a monk in the year of 1443. Bewitched by the exuberant forests, winding trails, secluded caves and soaring peaks, this monk turned Feiyun Cliff into a retreat for pilgrims and a holy abode for Buddha. Since then, a steady stream of governors, missionaries, scholars and businessmen kept pouring in. Inspired by the landscape, they accomplished countless calligraphic masterpieces and stunning engravings to grace the cliffs, memorial arches and monasteries. Outnumbering that of all the remaining scenic sites in Guizhou, they win Feiyun Cliff a nickname: “treasure house of calligraphy”.

Wang Yangming, a famous philosopher of Ming dynasty, was exiled to Guizhou. When strolling along Feiyun Cliff in a sunny afternoon, this depressed genius was cheered up and remarked: “Yunnan and Guizhou epitomize all the spectacular mountains in China, while Feiyun Cliff epitomizes the most captivating part of Yunnan and Guizhou. The scenery here is attesting, purifying and healing”.

Si Yue Ba, a traditional agriculture-related festival widely celebrated by various ethnic groups, will enthrall around 40,000 Miao, Gejia and Han Chinese each year to this picturesque site. The influx of fabulously dressed minorities will bring and demonstrate a myriad of ethnic performances such as birds fighting, horse racing, bull fighting, Reed-Pipe singing and dancing, bench dance, acrobatics, kungfu show, fashion show and singing contests, turning Feiyun Cliff into a land of color, music and happiness.

 

This three-day carnival will see the vacant squares crammed with singers, dancers, acrobatics mesmerizing an ocean of audiences, the winding trails thronged with pilgrims, the candle-lit monasteries immersing within an auspicious atmosphere, the air saturated with the alluring scent of incense and the valley reverberated with heavenly songs.

Feiyun Cliff is also a heaven for birds. To observe them closely, you can bring a telescope. It also houses a museum themed with ethnic festivals. Built in 1988, it is the earliest one of its kind in China. In this museum, you can delve into the various ethnic festivals thriving here, for instance, Torch Festival of Yi People, New Year Festival and Si Yue Ba of Dong people as well as Guzang Festival, Sisters’ Meal Festival and Dragon Boat Festival of Miao people.

 

 

Admission Fee: 30 ¥
Opening period: 8:00am to 18:00pm
Location: 12km from Huangping County, 70km from Zhenyuan Ancient Town, Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture, Guizhou
How to get in: take bus from Guiyang, Zhenyuan or Shibing. It is 10km from Huangping County, you can take a bus heading from Shibing(施秉) to Huangping(黄平). It will only cost one dollar. There are hotels at the foot of mountain
What to buy: clay whistles and peasants’ paintings.