On my recent Jiangxi Villages Tour, after visiting Jiangling we headed to one of the small villages in the Jiangxi Province to walk around. The historic village of Xiaoqi is worth a look, it’s totally tranquil. By the way Xiaoqi is pronounced “Chjshau Quee”. This village is split into two parts apparently and so we made two stops at it. If you read my post on Jiangling, you’ll know we hired a driver for this part of the tour – it’s just the easiest way to get around.
Photo credit: China.org.cn
A sign on the way into the village of Xiaoqi says “tourists no entry”! The first thing I noticed was a sign saying “Tourists no entry” (not kidding – it was on the entrance to the village!). I had a valid multi entry China Visa so I walked in…
Jiangxi Villages Tour: Backpacking in lonely Xiaoqi. On arrival in Xiaoqi we are taken through the old fashioned pretty cobbled streets to an old building – the Ancestral Building. This is the most famous building in Xiaoqi.
Outside the Ancestral Building – oldest and most famous building in the village of Xiaoqi.
What strikes me most is the fact that it really is China here. There is no commercial aspect to life here, not even a can of Coca Cola or a bottle of Tsingtao. The fact that this old building was the main attraction in the village said it all. Most travellers wouldn’t even bother coming to Xiaoqi and that my friends is why I love these off the beaten track places so much. There’s really not a lot to do here but walk around and admire, and that I did.
There is a well which reflects the moon in Xiaoqi. Also on our walk round the village we see a wishing well, which even has a plaque in English by it, reading “Moon reflected in double wells”.
A local shop in the village of Xiaoqi. Next up we head along the streets and come across a local guy who makes and sells his own peach wine.
Walking round a tree in the forest at Xiaoqi which means you’ll live until 100 years old! Then we head through a small market area and up into a forest. Here there is a tree, which according to myth if you walk round it, you will live until the age of 100.
A view of the quiet and remote village of Xiaoqi in China’s Jiangxi Province. We then walk along a path which is still up in the forest and offers a sombre and pretty view over the quiet village of Xiaoqi. It’s relaxed, quiet and peaceful.
Relaxed Xiaoqi. You can do this part of the village in about an hour. Here there are four main things to see:
1. A very dodgy bridge across a small river. I walk along the wooden bridge and am reminded to be careful. Not quite the Carrick a Rede Rope Bridge in Northern Ireland but still worth a trip across.
Standing on the bridge in Xiaoqi, Jiangxi Province, China.
2. A building that overlooks the river and also acts as a bridge.
The building overlooking the river in Xiaoqi China.
3. The river itself. Xiaoqi was naturally built by the river so they have ample water supply.
The river in Xiaoqi Village.
4. Finally there is a massive arch and a kind of square. We are there late afternoon and lots of locals have congregated to dance here in the square by this arch.
Jonny Blair is a self confessed traveling nomad who founded and blogs at Don’t Stop Living. He sees every day as an adventure. Since leaving behind his home town of Bangor in Northern Ireland ten years ago he has traveled to all seven continents, working his way through various jobs and funding it all with hard work and an appetite for travel. Don’t Stop Living, a lifestyle of travel’ contains over 1,000 stories and tips from his journeys round the globe. He wants to show others how easy it is to travel the world, give them some ideas and encourage them to do the same but most of all he aims to constantly live a lifestyle of travel. He is currently based in Hong Kong and on Twitter @jonnyblair.
