Miao Wedding Customs–Picking up the Bride by Li Ning. [Photo provided by the Guizhou Photographers Association]

Beautiful Songtao county, known as the pearl of the Miao area, is located in the junction of Guizhou province, Hunan province and Chongqing municipality.

It is the first Miao autonomous county authorized by the State Council after the founding of new China.

Songtao boasts splendid landscapes, vast forests, clear rivers and fresh air. It is also home to the Fanjing Mountain, a sacred Buddhist site, and the beautiful Songjiang River, which connects it to Hunan province.

The county has been awarded several titles, including Town of Chinese Unique Folk Art, Town of the Flower-drum Dance and Town of the Dragon Dance.

Songtao has become an ideal place for living, working and traveling, thanks to its rapid economic development, growing solidarity and fraternity among different ethnic groups, peaceful and harmonious social environment, prospering culture and excellent ecological environment.

The following photos are selected from the "Songtao Cup" Chinese Miao Ethnic Group Photographic Exhibition.