Zhaoxing is strategically located, with Guilin in the Southeast accessible via Sanjiang Dong Autonomous County, and Guiyang and Chongqing in the Northwest accessible via the county-level city of Kaili.
Name: Zhaoxing Dong Village (肇兴侗寨)- Population: about 1,000 families; 6,000 people
- Age: nearly 860 years
- Must-sees: drum towers, ancient buildings
- Popular activities: enjoy local food, attend local festivals, hike between villages
- Suitable for: culture lovers, hikers
- Time needed: 1 day
- Population: about 1,000 families; 6,000 people
Top 5 Things to Do in Zhaoxing
1. Visit Traditional Architectural Structures
Drum towers, which are unique to China, are famous in Zhaoxing. The five towers that stand in the village each represent one of the five Chinese virtues: compassion, righteousness, courtesy, wisdom, and trust. Each drum tower has its own distinct flair and personality.
The drum towers are the highest and most renowned buildings in Dong village, and they represent a sign of good fortune and wealth. The towers were constructed without the use of any nails or rivets.
The drum towers' interiors and exteriors are brightly painted with scenes from folk tales, mythical heroes, landscapes, animals, and daily activities.
Many wind and rain bridges, which are roof-covered bridges across the river, may be found on the way into Dong village. The boards and columns were designed to fit securely together without the use of nails.
The bridges are covered walkways with railings and chairs that allow visitors to sit and take in the scenery. On a wet day, sitting in the bridge pavilion with friends and chatting is a wonderful experience.
Other notable constructions, such as the wind and rain bridges, theatre stages, and barns, are worth seeing in addition to the drum towers.
2. Listen to the Dong Chorus
The Dong Chorus has been performing multi-voiced folk tunes without a conductor or accompaniment for almost 2,500 years. This style of singing has been seen at a number of high-profile events and ceremonies around the world, and it was designated as a World Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2009.
The songs are about history, legends, love, and moral teaching. The "sound chorus," which imitates noises from nature, such as animal sounds, is one of the most distinctive performances.
Every night in Zhaoxing, there are free open-air folk art events where you can see the Dong Chorus as well as a variety of other folk arts such as dancing and opera. If you're visiting the village, don't miss out on this opportunity.
3. Eat Tasty Food
The Dong dietary culture can be summarised in three words:
- Varied: Dong people use more than 500 kinds of ingredients in their food.
- Sour: Over half of the dishes prepared by local people have a sour flavour.
- Joyful: People sit at long tables for a banquet and sing songs for a toast.
In Zhaoxing, you have the chance to taste some local dishes, snacks, and drinks. During festivals or ceremonies, try some red meat, pickled fish, pork salad, steamed meatballs, oil tea, and rice wine. Local people even fry grasshoppers as a snack!
Find more Guizhou food to eat.
4. Hike Between Villages
Travellers in reasonable physical condition can hike between communities instead of driving. Your guide will be able to advise you on several trekking routes, such as Zhaoxing–Xiage–Tang'an.
The hike can take up to 2.5 hours and includes breathtaking sights such as highland views, pastures, and rice terraces.
It's a good idea to make sure you have a good pair of walking shoes before going on a hike. Some rural roads are well-built, while others are not. When walking over uneven surfaces, a good pair of shoes will come in handy.
5. Attend Local Festivals
Zhaoxing village is a cradle for Dong festivals. The important Dong festivals are the Dong New Year, the New Harvest Festival, and the Sama Festival. As well as these festivals, the Grain Rain Festival (谷雨节) and the Muddy Men Festival (泥人节) are the most fascinating celebrations.
The Grain Rain Festival: Held on the 19th and 20th of April, this festival is a carnival for the entire hamlet. Locals make black-colored gluten rice and send it to others, as well as using black coal slag to paint one other's faces. The more coal slag on a person's face, the more benefits they will receive. Does it make you think of Halloween?
The Muddy Men Festival: After the autumn harvest, this festival is held to offer gratitude to the soil. Young guys enter a muddy pond to capture fish with their hands on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month (the same day as China's Mid-Autumn Festival). They lift it aloft and shout accolades to the onlookers each time they catch one. Bullfighting tournaments, singing contests, instrument performances, and opera performances are among the festival's other activities.
Just learned new information thank you!!
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