Zhaoxing

The Largest Dong Village in China

1.Located in Liping: County, Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture, Guizhou Province, Zhaoxing Dong Village is a place where time seems to follow the rhythm of ancient songs. Situated approximately 60 kilometers from Liping County seat and 300 kilometers from Guiyang, this village is recognized as the largest gathering of Dong people in China. It covers a core area of about 1 square kilometer within a stunning valley basin. Often hailed as "The First Village of the Dong Region" and a "Living Museum of Dong Culture," Zhaoxing offers an authentic alternative to more commercialized destinations. As the sun sets, the village transforms into a living painting: wooden stilted houses (Diaojiaolou) stack upon one another against the mountains, drum towers rise majestically like the souls of the tribe, and the sound of silver ornaments tinkling accompanies the ethereal melodies of the Dong Grand Song echoing through the valley.

Architecture: The Five Drum Towers

2.The architectural layout of: Zhaoxing is unique and deeply symbolic. The village is divided into five "Tuans" (clans/groups), named after the five Confucian virtues: Ren (Benevolence), Yi (Righteousness), Li (Propriety), Zhi (Wisdom), and Xin (Trust). Each group possesses its own magnificent Drum Tower, a Wind and Rain Bridge (Flower Bridge), and a stage.

3.The Drum: Towers are the architectural highlight and the spiritual center of the community. Built entirely of wood without a single nail, these multi-tiered pagodas serve as the venue for public meetings, dispute resolutions, and festivals. From the top of these towers, visitors can gaze down upon the sea of dark tiled roofs and winding rivers that define the village. The covered Wind and Rain Bridges, adorned with exquisite carvings and paintings of flowers and animals, act as sheltered spaces where locals socialize and young lovers sing to one another.

The Home of the Grand Song

4.Zhaoxing is celebrated as the cradle of the: Dong Grand Song, a polyphonic folk singing style that requires no conductor and no musical accompaniment. Listed as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2009, this musical tradition creates a "heavenly sound" that mimics the sounds of nature, such as cicadas and flowing water. In Dong culture, "songs are the medium" for social interaction; people sing to propose, to drink, and to tell history. Visitors can experience this profound artistry at the performance square or during the "Blocking Way Wine" ceremony at the village gate, where guests must drink their way past twelve barriers of singing girls to enter.

History and Customs

5.The history of Zhaoxing dates back to the: Song and Yuan dynasties, when ancestors migrated to this secluded valley to escape war. The name "Zhaoxing" implies "prosperity". Historically, the village was a fortress, easy to defend and hard to attack, which allowed its culture to remain intact through the centuries. It was once a stronghold for Dong uprisings during the Qing Dynasty, adding a layer of legendary heroism to its peaceful appearance today.

Culturally, the village retains its primitive simplicity. From the "Long Table Banquets" featuring sour soup fish and rice wine to the intricate silver ornaments passed down from mother to daughter, Zhaoxing is a deep dive into Dong life. The village also honors "Sa Sui" (the grandmother goddess), with an altar dedicated to her, reflecting the ancient matriarchal roots of the society.

Seasonal Beauty

Zhaoxing is beautiful year-round, but it truly comes alive during festivals. The "Sa Sui Festival" in the first lunar month, the "Tasting New Grain Festival" on June 6th, and the "Dong New Year" in late autumn are times when the village erupts into celebrations with ten thousand people playing the Lusheng (reed pipes) and dancing the Duoye dance. Even on ordinary days, the sight of indigo-clad women beating cloth by the river and the smoke rising from kitchen chimneys creates a tranquil atmosphere that captivates every traveler.