Zhaoxing: The Largest Dong Village in the World

Hidden in the mountains of southeastern Guizhou Province, Zhaoxing is one of China's most remarkable ethnic villages. With over 1,000 households and 6,000 residents — all Dong people — it is the largest Dong village in China and possibly the world. Its five drum towers, five wind-and-rain bridges, and five performance stages make it a living museum of Dong architecture and culture.

The Dong People

The Dong, also known as the Kam people, are one of China's 55 recognized ethnic minorities. Numbering about 3 million, they live primarily in the border region of Guizhou, Hunan, and Guangxi. The Dong have no written script of their own, so their history, laws, and traditions are passed down orally through songs. Their polyphonic "Grand Songs" (Kam Grand Choir) are recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Drum Towers

Drum towers (gulou) are the defining architecture of Dong villages. Each tower serves as a community center, a place for meetings, celebrations, and dispute resolution. Zhaoxing has five drum towers, each representing one of the village's clans — Ren, Yi, Li, Zhi, and Xin (Confucian virtues: Benevolence, Righteousness, Propriety, Wisdom, and Faith). The towers are built without a single nail, using interlocking wooden joints. Their tiered eaves curve upward like pagodas, and their interiors are open to the rafters.

Wind and Rain Bridges

Dong "wind and rain bridges" (fengyu qiao) are covered wooden bridges that provide shelter for travelers. Zhaoxing has five, spanning the river that flows through the village. Each bridge is an architectural marvel: multi-tiered roofs, painted eaves, and benches along the sides. They serve as gathering places for elders and courting couples. The bridges are built entirely of wood, held together by mortise-and-tenon joints.

Kam Grand Songs

The Dong are famous for their polyphonic singing, performed without musical instruments. A Kam Grand Song can involve dozens of singers, each contributing different vocal parts. The songs tell stories of love, history, nature, and daily life. In Zhaoxing, performances are held nightly during tourist season, but singing also happens spontaneously — at weddings, festivals, or simply when the mood strikes.

Indigo Dyeing and Textiles

Dong women are expert textile artists. They grow indigo, process it into dye, and color their cloth a deep, rich blue. Batik and embroidery add patterns. A full Dong outfit — including silver jewelry, embroidered jacket, and pleated skirt — can take months to make. The silver alone, often weighing several kilograms, signifies wealth and status.

Rice Terraces

Surrounding Zhaoxing are terraced rice paddies carved into the mountainsides. The Dong have practiced wet-rice cultivation for centuries, developing sophisticated irrigation systems. In autumn, the ripening rice turns golden; in spring, flooded paddies reflect the sky. Hiking trails connect Zhaoxing to smaller Dong villages in the hills.

Getting There

Zhaoxing is reached via Congjiang County, which has a train station on the Guiyang-Guangzhou high-speed line. From Congjiang, buses take about 30 minutes. The village has basic guesthouses; for more comfortable accommodation, stay in nearby Zhaoxing Town. Best times to visit are spring and autumn, when temperatures are mild and terraces are at their most scenic.