Location and Transportation
Zhaoxing Dong Village is nestled in the southeastern region of Liping County, within the Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture in Guizhou Province, China. The village enjoys a subtropical monsoon climate, making it particularly inviting during the summer and autumn seasons.
The most convenient way to reach Zhaoxing Dong Village is by taking a high-speed train to Congjiang Station. From Congjiang Station, visitors can proceed to the bus station nearby, where minibusses are available to transport them directly to the entrance of the village. Notably, there is no need to purchase a sightseeing bus ticket, simplifying the journey and making it more accessible.
Highlights of Zhaoxing Dong Village
Drum Tower Complex
Zhaoxing Dong Village is renowned for its unique Drum Tower complex, making it a standout among Dong villages nationwide. Its Drum Towers have achieved global recognition by securing a place in the Guinness World Records and are celebrated as the “Homeland of Drum Tower Cultural Arts.” Serving not only as a symbol of the Dong ethnic group but also as a multifunctional space, the Drum Towers are places of leisure, hospitality for guests, venues for gatherings and meetings, and even tools for communication and alerting the community.
The village is divided into five Tuan (family) groups, and each Tuan has its own distinct Drum Tower, Flower Bridge, and Stage. The five Drum Towers exhibit remarkable diversity in terms of appearance, height, size, and architectural style, creating a breathtaking spectacle.
1.Ren Tuan Drum Tower: Featuring seven eaves and an octagonal pointed roof, standing at a height of 21.7 meters with a footprint of 60 square meters.
2.Yi Tuan Drum Tower: Boasting eleven eaves and an octagonal pointed roof, towering at 25.8 meters with a footprint of 81.6 square meters.
3.Li Tuan Drum Tower: Showcasing thirteen eaves and an octagonal pointed roof, reaching a height of 23.1 meters with a footprint of 70.3 square meters.
4.Zhi Tuan Drum Tower: Displaying nine eaves and an octagonal hipped roof, standing at 14.9 meters with a footprint of 77.3 square meters.
5.Xin Tuan Drum Tower: Highlighting eleven eaves and an octagonal pointed roof, soaring to a height of 25.9 meters with a footprint of 78.3 square meters.
Stilted Houses
Zhaoxing Dong Village, adorned with stilted houses crafted from fir wood, presents a mesmerizing landscape of meticulously arranged structures. These houses, crowned with dark-green tiles on their pitched roofs, exude a timeless and practical elegance. The village's panoramic view unfolds majestically from the vantage point of Zhaoxing Middle School's observation deck, offering a clear vista of the entire village. Alternatively, one can capture Zhaoxing's splendor from the hillside across the sixth newly built Wind and Rain Bridge downstream from the Meow Cat Flower Bridge. Here, the town's full panorama comes into view, offering an evening rendezvous at the local bars and open-air performances, immersing visitors in the Dong ethnic culture.
Opera Stages:
Architectural Style：The opera stages in Zhaoxing Dong Village are also typical of Dong architecture, usually made of wood and featuring exquisite carvings and paintings. They are simple yet elegant, in harmony with the surrounding natural and cultural environment.
Function：They serve as the venue for Dong opera performances and other cultural activities. During festivals and special occasions, local people will stage colorful Dong operas on these stages, showing the unique charm of Dong culture.
Dong Chorus
History and Characteristics：The Dong chorus has a history of more than 2,500 years and is a kind of polyphonic, non-conductor, non-accompaniment and natural chorus. It was listed as a world intangible cultural heritage in 2009. The songs cover various themes such as history, legends, love, and moral teachings, and one of the most distinctive is the "sound chorus" that imitates sounds from nature.
Performance Occasions：In Zhaoxing Dong Village, the Dong chorus is often performed in the drum tower or other public places. There are free open-air folk art performances every night, where visitors can enjoy the beautiful Dong chorus.
