Located in the southeastern part of Liping County, Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture, Guizhou Province, Zhaoxing Dong Village is one of the largest Dong ethnic villages in China, known as the "First Village of Dong Ethnic Group." Surrounded by mountains with a small river flowing through, the village has over 800 households with more than 4,000 residents, all of Dong ethnicity, making it one of the regions with the most complete preservation and representation of Dong culture.
Zhaoxing Dong Village is world-renowned for its unique drum tower culture. The village is home to 5 drum towers, each belonging to the five natural sections of Ren (Benevolence), Yi (Righteousness), Li (Propriety), Zhi (Wisdom), and Xin (Trustworthiness), which is unique among all Dong villages in China. As places for discussion, worship, and entertainment for the Dong people, drum towers are the symbol and soul of Dong villages. In 2005, Zhaoxing was named one of "China's Six Most Beautiful Ancient Villages and Towns" by China National Geography.
Besides the drum towers, Zhaoxing Dong Village also preserves complete traditional Dong architecture, including stilt houses, wind and rain bridges, and stages, forming a unique architectural complex. At the same time, intangible cultural heritages such as Dong Grand Chorus, Dong cloth making, and silverware forging have been well inherited and developed here, making Zhaoxing a living fossil for the study of Dong culture.
Zhaoxing Dong Village is not only a cultural sanctuary but also a beautiful rural paradise with natural scenery. Surrounded by mountains and terraced fields, the scenery varies with the seasons: golden rapeseed flowers bloom in spring; green rice fields ripple in summer; golden rice ripens in autumn; and mist shrouds the area in winter, creating a fairyland-like atmosphere.
The attractions in Zhaoxing Dong Village are centered around the drum tower cluster, radiating to the surrounding natural and cultural landscapes. They include unique architectural art, profound cultural connotations, and beautiful rural scenery, forming a diverse tourism experience.
One of the oldest drum towers in Zhaoxing Dong Village, built during the Daoguang period of the Qing Dynasty. It features a five-story four-cornered pointed-top structure, approximately 20 meters high. The interior is richly decorated with carved beams and painted rafters, especially the wood carvings depicting Dong folk stories on the beams, showcasing exquisite craftsmanship and high artistic value.
Located in the central position of the village, this six-story four-cornered structure is approximately 22 meters high, making it one of the tallest drum towers in Zhaoxing Dong Village. In front of the tower, there is a spacious square and a stage, which is the main gathering place for villagers and a venue for activities. Here, you can often see Dong Grand Chorus performances and traditional Dong opera shows.
Zhaoxing Dong Village has a total of 5 Wind and Rain Bridges, each corresponding to one of the 5 drum towers. These bridges facilitate transportation and provide resting areas for villagers. All bridges are wooden structures built without nails or rivets, showcasing the architectural wisdom of the Dong people, and are decorated with traditional Dong patterns.
Located 2 kilometers north of Zhaoxing Dong Village, Tang'an is a more primitive Dong village known as "a model of harmonious coexistence between humans and nature." Its most famous feature is the spectacular terraced fields that extend from the village to the mountaintop, with clear layers and majestic momentum, making it a paradise for photographers.
Dong Grand Chorus is a unique unaccompanied multi-part choral art of the Dong ethnic group, inscribed on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage List. In Zhaoxing Dong Village, there are wonderful Dong Grand Chorus performances every day, with unique harmonies, beautiful melodies, and rich content that are breathtaking.
Located in the central area of Zhaoxing Dong Village, it is an important window to understand Dong ethnic history and culture. The museum showcases the historical evolution, lifestyle, traditional costumes, production tools, and artworks of the Dong ethnic group, systematically introducing their development history and cultural characteristics.
Zhaoxing Dong Village is a comprehensive showcase of Dong ethnic culture, preserving complete traditional customs, architectural art, folk crafts, music, and dance of the Dong people. It is the best place to experience Dong ethnic culture.
In Zhaoxing Dong Village, tourists can participate in various cultural experience activities to gain in-depth understanding of the Dong people's way of life and cultural traditions:
The cuisine of Zhaoxing Dong Village is characterized by sour, spicy, and fragrant flavors, using locally sourced ingredients with unique tastes that reflect the wisdom of the Dong people's way of life:
| Spring (Mar-May) | Warm spring, green terraced fields |
| Summer (Jun-Aug) | Golden rice fields, abundant rainfall |
| Autumn (Sep-Nov) | Harvest season, pleasant climate |
| Winter (Dec-Feb) | Dong New Year period, strong festive atmosphere |
Day 1: Zhaoxing Dong Village Entrance → Rentuan Drum Tower → Yituan Drum Tower → Dong Grand Chorus Performance → He Long Banquet
Day 2: Lituan Drum Tower → Zhituan Drum Tower → Xintuan Drum Tower → Wind and Rain Bridge Group → Dong Cloth Making Experience
Day 1-2: Same as the two-day essential tour
Day 3: Tang'an Dong Village → Terraced Fields Hiking → Original Dong Village Exploration → Return to Zhaoxing
Liping County, Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture, Guizhou Province
National AAAA-Level Tourist Attraction
Approximately 180,000 square meters
Drum Tower Group, Dong Grand Chorus, Stilt Houses
Approximately 4,000 people, all of Dong ethnicity
Subtropical humid monsoon climate
Dong cloth, silver ornaments, sour fish soup, oil tea
Dong Grand Chorus, Dong cloth making, He Long Banquet
Pleasant weather suitable for sightseeing. Daytime is slightly warm, it is recommended to wear breathable and comfortable clothing and pay attention to sun protection.
A unique a cappella multi-part chorus of the Dong ethnic group, known as "heavenly music", listed in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List in 2009.
The drum tower is a symbol and spiritual emblem of Dong villages, serving as a place for discussion, worship, and entertainment. Its construction uses no nails or rivets.
Traditional Dong weaving technique. From cotton to finished product, it requires dozens of processes including spinning, weaving, and dyeing, with indigo dyeing as its distinctive feature.
The most solemn traditional festival of the Dong ethnic group, usually held between the first and fifteenth day of the eleventh lunar month, featuring ancestor worship, banquets, singing, and dancing.
The highest form of hospitality of the Dong people. Multiple tables are joined together to form a long dragon, and the entire village collectively entertains guests, embodying the hospitable tradition of "everyone invites the guests together."
