A Thousand-Year-Old Dong Village Hidden in Southeast Guizhou: Listen to the Heavenly Songs and Meet the Sea of Clouds over the Terraced Fields

In the mountains of Southeast Guizhou, there is Zhaoxing Dong Village, known as the "Number One Dong Village." Here, there is no excessive commercial noise, only the morning and evening bells of five drum towers, the babbling water by the Wind and Rain Bridge, the seasonal changes of the terraced fields and sea of clouds, and the Dong grand songs passed down for a thousand years. This in-depth guide will help you unlock all the romance and local life of this ancient Dong village. 1. Must-Read Before the Trip: Transportation and Accommodation Tips Transportation: What’s the easiest way to get here? Taking the high-speed train is the best choice to reach Zhaoxing Dong Village. After arriving at Congjiang Station by high-speed train, there’s no need to worry about unlicensed taxis; a direct shuttle bus to the village gate costs only 10 yuan per person, running every 10 minutes during peak season, with a travel time of just half an hour. If you choose to drive, simply navigate to "Zhaoxing Dong Village Tourist Center." Parking costs 20 yuan per day, but you must transfer to a sightseeing bus inside the scenic area, which costs 20 yuan per person. A thoughtful tip: some guesthouses like "Dongjia Haoke" offer free pick-up services; booking in advance can save you a lot of trouble. Accommodation: Choose the right place to stay immersed in the scenery - Top Scenic Choice: The panoramic room on the fourth floor of Xishe Shantang (270 yuan/night) is a must. Open the window to see the green-tiled eaves of the Rentuan Drum Tower. The owner also offers free airport pick-up and a terraced field sunrise wake-up service, so you can catch the moment when the clouds and mist swirl in the morning. - Best Value: Luanju Inn (150 yuan/night) is only a 3-minute walk from the viewing platform. The young owner knows the area well and can help you avoid crowds to find the best photo spots. - Cultural Experience: Qianlvju Inn (200 yuan/night) is right below the Wind and Rain Bridge, with rooms decorated with Dong brocade. Staying here, you can learn how to make glutinous rice cakes with the owner and fully immerse yourself in Dong family life. 2. Core Activities: Unlock the Essence of the Dong Village in 24 Hours Early Morning: Encounter the drum towers in the quiet streets At 6 a.m., the Dong village is at its quietest. The stone paths are still wet with dew. Stroll along the small river and watch the smoke rising from the stilted houses. The five drum towers in the village correspond to the five groups of "Benevolence, Righteousness, Courtesy, Wisdom, and Trust." The Trust Group Drum Tower is 25.9 meters tall, built entirely with mortise and tenon joints without a single nail. Its four main pillars represent the four seasons, and twelve secondary pillars symbolize the twelve months, embodying the Dong people's philosophy of life. At this time, go to the viewing platform halfway up the mountain opposite the village to capture undisturbed silhouettes of the drum towers in soft, perfect light. Morning: Immerse yourself in Dong daily life - Browse the morning market for treasures: Don’t miss the 5-yuan sweet rice wine at Lao Wang’s rice wine shop, paired with freshly grilled sausages—this is the exclusive morning flavor of the Dong village. Near the village gate waterwheel, freshly fried glutinous rice cakes cost 3 yuan each, with a crispy exterior and soft, sweet interior. - Learn a Dong craft: At 10 a.m. in the central square, you can experience pounding glutinous rice cakes for 50 yuan per person. Dip the soft rice dough in soybean powder for a fragrant taste. The Dong embroidery workshop is free to visit, and you can learn simple stitches from the embroiderer. Buying a Dong brocade headscarf as a souvenir is perfect. - Visit the museum to understand history: Spend 30 yuan to visit the Dong Museum, where old farming tools, water mills, and Dong grand song scores hide a thousand years of ethnic memory. Open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., it’s best to go early to avoid crowds. Afternoon: A date with terraced fields and ancient villages The Tang’an Terraced Fields are a must-see highlight. This 1,500-acre terraced field was carved out by Dong ancestors over 700 years. More than 1,600 stone ridges built with blue-gray stones outline strong geometric lines under the sun, earning it the nickname "The Great Wall of Terraced Fields." - Easy option: Take the scenic shuttle bus from Zhaoxing, which departs every hour for 20 yuan per person. It takes 20 minutes to reach Tang’an Dong Village. Visit the ecological museum to see old farming tools, then stroll along the ridges. You might meet Dong girls planting rice and even taste homemade glutinous rice wine. - In-depth option: Hike the 6-7 km route from Zhaoxing to Tang’an, which takes about 2 hours. Along the way, you’ll pass Xage Dong Village, where pristine terraced fields and ancient villages complement each other. Spring brings fresh greenery, and autumn offers golden hues. It’s one of China’s seven most beautiful hiking routes for enthusiasts. Evening: Listen to heavenly grand songs and enjoy a feast - Auditory feast: Every night at 7 p.m., there is a Dong grand song performance. The multi-part harmonies are ethereal like heavenly music. This art form, inscribed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2009, is far more moving live than in recordings. For a staged performance, the 8 p.m. show at Sansheng Palace is worth seeing, with tickets at 120 yuan per person. - Culinary delight: The sour soup fish at Donglang Restaurant is a must-try. The broth is made from 15 herbs, served with tri-color glutinous rice, and rice wine sipped from a horn cup. This authentic Dong flavor costs about 60 yuan per person for a satisfying meal. For the adventurous, try the drunken first-floor ox stomach hotpot with wild chili peppers, a local favorite. Don’t miss the late-night riverside barbecue stalls, where 20 yuan skewers of grilled fragrant pork have crispy skin and are dipped in secret sour sauce—a unique Dong village flavor. 3. Seasons and Extras: Unlock Hidden Experiences in the Dong Village Best Travel Times - April flooding season: The terraced fields reflect the sky like mirrors, the best time to shoot the "Sky Mirror." - September harvest season: Golden waves of rice ripple layer upon layer, and you might see villagers harvesting in the fields. - November sea of clouds season: In the early morning, the terraced fields are wrapped in mist, resembling a fairyland. Hidden Tips and Pitfalls to Avoid - Photography tips: Rent a set of Dong costumes for 30 yuan and take photos at the Wind and Rain Bridge or misty alleys for stunning ethnic-style shots. After the drum towers light up at night, the five "glowing mushroom clouds" look especially dreamy, perfect for starry sky photography. - Pitfall warnings: The scenic area entrance ticket costs 80 yuan (including five attractions). Don’t trust roadside "discount tickets" traps. The "International Hotel" at the village entrance has poor hygiene; it’s more reliable to choose guesthouses with the "scenic shuttle bus" sign. - Nearby extensions: If you have time, visit Dimen Dong Village, known as "the last home for the weary human soul," to join the Dong New Year’s official-carrying and stepping song hall activities. Or head to Jiabang Terraced Fields to see the magnificent scenery featured in the documentary "A Bite of China." From the morning bell of the drum towers to the sunset glow over the terraced fields, from the ethereal grand songs to the rich sour soup, the beauty of Zhaoxing Dong Village is hidden in every slow moment. There is no rush to check off a list here, only a thousand years of time worth savoring.