It derives its name from Kiyyangan, an ancient village near the bank of the Ibulao River across the Lagawe valley.

It was the former capital of Ifugao until the topology was deemed unfit and moved to neighboring Lagawe.

Dialects spoken in Kiangan include Ifugao, Tuwali, Ayangan, Ilocano, Tagalog, and English.

Kiangan, belonging to the lone congressional district of the province of Ifugao, is governed by a mayor designated as its local chief executive and by a municipal council as its legislative body in accordance with the Local Government Code.

Located in Kiangan is the Kiangan Central School old home economics building, which marks the spot where the highest Commander of the Japanese Imperial Army, General Tomoyuki Yamashita (also known as the Tiger of Malaya), surrendered to the Filipino & American Forces on 2 September 1945.