The Miao minority group live mainly in hills or on mountains in the provinces of Guizhou, Hunan, Yunnan, Sichuan, Guangxi, Hainan, Guangdong, and Hubei. Besides, there are about 2 million Miao living outside the Chinese mainland, especially in Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, Taiwan and Cambodia. As early as the Qin and Han dynasties 2,000 years ago, the ancestors of the Miao people lived in the western part of today's Hunan and the eastern part of today’s Guizhou.

The Miao are skilled at embroidering, weaving, paper-cutting and jewelry making. Clothes are diverse across regions. Men wear short coats and trousers while women wear jewels and skirts with patterns of themes from life. The Miao's daily food includes rice, meat, sour soups, pickled vegetables, hot seasonings and home-made wine. Glutinous rice is a must during festivals and celebrations.

Miao people celebrate the Bullfight Festival to hope for a good harvest and good health in the coming year. The Lusheng dance is a unique musical performance of the Miao during celebrations. People sing and dance while playing the lusheng instrument.