【Travel Memories】The intoxicating night of Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village: Silhouettes of time in the dim light

Date: May 15, 2024 Weather: Clear, with a gentle breeze at dusk Location: Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village, Guizhou Province, China Embarking on this journey, my heart was filled with curiosity and longing for the unknown, aiming straight for the Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village, which has been hailed as a 'heaven on earth' in countless travelogues. As the sun slowly set, I finally arrived at this ancient village nestled in the embrace of mountains. Upon entering the village gate, a strong sense of history hit me; ancient trees towered, and the stilted houses along the stone-paved road seemed to tell a thousand-year-old story. In the evening, I followed the winding path deeper into the heart of the village. At this time, the sky began to take on a faint violet hue, laying the groundwork for the coming night. I quickened my pace towards the viewing platform, afraid to miss the legendary moment when a thousand households light up simultaneously. When I reached the viewing platform, the sky had completely darkened, and what I saw far exceeded my imagination. The entire Miao village seemed to be lit by countless stars, with lights spreading from the foot of the mountain to the top, layer upon layer, in an orderly fashion, echoing the twinkling stars in the night sky, forming a breathtakingly beautiful picture. I pressed the camera shutter, trying to capture the brilliance of this moment, but the beauty captured by the lens was nothing compared to what I saw with my own eyes. Each photo is a mark of peaceful time, too beautiful for words. Afterward, I wandered through the alleys of the village, finding a perfect photo spot every few steps. On an ancient wind-rain bridge, I met several women dressed in gorgeous Miao costumes, with silver ornaments on their heads and beaming smiles, who agreed to take a photo with me. At that moment, I felt as if I had merged into the culture of this land, becoming part of a vivid picture. As the night deepened, I went to a small riverside restaurant to taste authentic Miao cuisine, with the sound of flowing water outside the window and a night sky interwoven with stars and lights above. At that moment, all fatigue and worldly troubles seemed to be washed away by the peaceful and beautiful night, leaving only tranquility and contentment in my heart. This trip to Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village was not only a feast for the eyes but also a purification for the soul. Here, I deeply realized that the beauty of life lies not only in the scenery before my eyes but also in the ability to calm down and savor each moment. The Miao village under the night taught me how to find inner peace amidst busyness and impetuousness, making me exclaim that life would be so fortunate and beautiful if one could often have such moments.