Dong Villages

Here's a travel guide to Guizhou's Dong villages: Must-See Attractions - Zhaoxing Dong Village: One of the largest Dong villages in China, known as the "First Dong Village," it is most famous for its drum towers. There are five drum towers, belonging to the five main clans of "benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and trustworthiness." In addition, the flower bridges and Dong Grand Song are also unique features. You can overlook the whole village from the viewing platform and experience Dong cuisine, batik, and other intangible cultural heritage crafts.  - Tang'an Dong Village: Not far from Zhaoxing Dong Village, it is known as the "Terraced Field Museum." There is a shuttle bus from Zhaoxing Dong Village, or you can choose to hike, enjoying the beautiful terraced fields and authentic Dong village scenery along the way.  - Zhanli Dong Village: With a low level of commercial development, this village features the legendary "Men and Women Well," said to balance the birth rate of boys and girls. Along the stream, there are racks for drying grain, full of local life.  Unique Experiences - Watch the Dong Grand Song: The Dong Grand Song is a traditional Dong musical form, characterized by polyphony, no conductor, and no accompaniment. It is listed as an "Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity." Authentic Dong Grand Song performances can be enjoyed in places like Zhaoxing Dong Village. - Experience Intangible Cultural Heritage Crafts: Including tie-dyeing, batik, and indigo dyeing, you can create your own handicrafts and experience the charm of traditional Dong craftsmanship. - Participate in Folk Activities: If you visit at specific times, you can also participate in folk activities such as the Dong Grand Song Competition, Dong New Year Parade, and rice paddy fish catching, immersing yourself in Dong culture. Food Recommendations - Sour Soup Fish: A Dong specialty, with sour soup as the base, the fish is tender, and the sour soup is appetizing and refreshing. It is a must-try dish in the Dong villages. - Crispy Roast Pig: Made with local small fragrant pigs, roasted until the skin is crispy and the meat is tender after special processing, it is very delicious. - Three-Colored Glutinous Rice: Glutinous rice is dyed red, black, and white with natural plant dyes. After steaming, it has a bright color, soft texture, and a delicate plant fragrance. Transportation Guide - External Transportation: You can first arrive in Guiyang, then take the high-speed train from Guiyang to Congjiang Station. Congjiang Station is relatively close to Zhaoxing Dong Village. There are buses or guesthouse shuttle services to the Dong villages from the station. - Internal Transportation: Transportation within the Dong villages is mainly by foot and electric vehicles. There are shuttle buses between some villages, such as the regular shuttle bus between Zhaoxing and Tang'an. Accommodation Recommendations - Zhaoxing Dong Village: There are a variety of accommodation options, including hotels and guesthouses of various levels. It is recommended to choose a location near the drum towers or the river for convenient sightseeing and experiencing Dong village life. - Tang'an Dong Village: Accommodation is mostly local guesthouses with strong ethnic characteristics. Staying here allows you to experience the Dong lifestyle more deeply.