China's rich and diverse cultural landscape has long captivated scholars, artists, and historians. However, the intricate musical heritage of its ethnic minorities, particularly the Tujia and Miao, and its relationship to contemporary music remains relatively underexplored. To address this gap, this paper examines the musical heritage of Western Hunan, focusing on the Tujia and Miao ethnic groups' contributions to contemporary Chinese music. The study critically assesses how their traditional music has persisted and evolved to influence modern compositions. It further explores the historical development of Tujia and Miao music, analyzing its integration into contemporary compositions. This research employs historical and exploratory qualitative methods, drawing on high-quality secondary sources such as peer-reviewed articles, theses, and books. Data were analyzed thematically, with cultural transmission and Chinese music theories guiding the analysis. The study found that music is crucial in preserving the cultural heritage and identity of the Tujia and Miao communities, playing a key role in social events, rituals, and storytelling. However, modernization challenges their musical traditions, prompting efforts to safeguard and adapt them. The study recommends balancing innovation with authenticity to preserve the core of Tujia and Miao musical traditions while adapting to modern contexts. It also calls for increased documentation, government support, and educational initiatives to ensure these practices' longevity and cultural relevance. This research will benefit policymakers, musicologists, sociologists, and scholars in related fields and provide a foundation for further exploration of similar issues among other ethnic minorities in mainland China.