The Yao nationality resides in the mountainous terrain Hunan, Yunnan, Guangdong, Guizhou, Jiangxi and Guangxi provinces. The Yao ancestors lived around Changsha, capital of today's Hunan Province about 2,000 years ago.

The Yao people cover their heads with a black or red scarf. Their clothes are mainly made of blue cloth with various pictorial designs. Men wear short shirts without collars, and trousers or pants with the lower part wrapped. Women wear trousers, short skirts or pleated skirts with unique embroidery and decorations made out of silver.

The typical houses of the Yao are rectangular and they have structures made of wood and bamboo. Normally it is comprised of three rooms: a room and two dormitories. Each one of these rooms has a small oven to cook.

Panwang Festival is a grand festival of Yao held either every year or every three to five years to express their respect for their ancestor, Panwang. During this festival, people sing and dance in their finest clothing.