Zhaoxing Dong Village: Best Things to Do & How to Plan

Zhaoxing Dong Village is sure to be one of the highlights of your visit to Guizhou Province. With traditional stilt houses and drum towers, a peaceful rural landscape, and the Dong minority culture famous for their polyphonic singing, it's one of the most unique places in the country.

You can hike through the terraced fields, photograph Zhaoxing's famous wooden architecture, and sample delicious regional food. Read on to learn all about traveling to this village and a step-by-step guide on what to see and do while you're there.

Overlook Zhaoxing Dong Village

Travel Essentials for Zhaoxing

Zhaoxing Dong Village in Guizhou

Zhaoxing Dong Village is located in the southeastern part of Guizhou Province, accessible by high-speed train from Guiyang (a 1.5- to 2-hour journey). We recommend spending 1 to 2 days visiting the village. Tickets cost 80 RMB and are valid for 5 days. We can help you get your entrance ticket and plan your vacation in Zhaoxing Dong Village.

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit is between April and May (spring) or September and November (autumn), when the temperature is perfect for exploring.

During the spring months, Zhaoxing's landscape is lush and full of flowers, making it great for taking photographs and hiking. You can also attend the Grain Rain Festival, a special agricultural celebration with traditional Dong ceremonies. During the autumn months, you can experience the Dong Song Festival in November, full of music and dancing. The days are also cooler and perfect for hiking.

Top Experiences in Zhaoxing

We can help craft a personalized itinerary for your trip to Zhaoxing Dong Village, including these top experiences that will give you a great overview of its importance and history.

Five Drum Towers

The night view of Drum Tower

The Five Drum Towers are the cultural and social center of Zhaoxing, and each one represents one of the five original Dong clans: Ren (仁), Yi (义), Li (礼), Zhi (智), and Xin (信). Standing several meters tall, these structures were originally used as watchtowers. Today, they're important historical structures where you can learn about Dong history, see traditional songs and dances, and take some fantastic photographs.

Terrace Hiking

Visit the rice terraces in Zhaoxing Village

The terraced fields between Zhaoxing Dong Village and Tang'an Village are excellent for hiking, especially during spring and autumn. We recommend starting your journey in Tang'an and heading down to Zhaoxing, which takes between 1.5 and 2 hours. The trail is well-maintained, and you'll enjoy fabulous views of the terraces, mountains, and local villages along the way. We can organize transportation from Zhaoxing to Tang'an.

DIY Indigo Dyeing Workshop

Hand-made indigo dyeing

If you're looking for the perfect souvenir and to have a one-of-a-kind experience while in Zhaoxing Dong Village, consider taking a DIY Indigo Dyeing Workshop, where you can create a unique scarf or bag to take home with you. Dong people have been working with indigo dye for centuries, and you'll learn the craft directly from local artists.

Watch Dong Ethnic Performances

Enjoy Dong ethnic performance

One of the best ways to fully appreciate Dong culture is through watching traditional performances. Most days, visitors can experience the Morning Welcome Ceremony, a free show that takes place at the village gate between 10 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Polyphonic singing, a style of song featuring multiple melodies that work together, is an integral part of Dong culture and has been recognized as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Start your morning with Dong cultural performances, and end it with the evening bonfire show, scheduled between 8 and 9 p.m. These bonfires cost 88 RMB per person to attend and showcase traditional singing and dancing. Visitors can join the last dance to truly immerse themselves in the fun. These bonfires are a way to bring the community together in song, dance, and tradition, and we highly recommend that you go to one.

Sampling the Dong Cuisine

Sour soup noodels in Zhaoxing

You'll have the opportunity to sample unique Dong cuisine during your time in Zhaoxing Dong Village. Signature dishes include Sour Soup Beef Noodles and Sour Soup Fish, both of which are deeply rooted in Dong culinary traditions. Grilled pork wrapped in sticky rice (糯米饭包烤肉) is another popular local snack commonly sold by street vendors throughout the village.

How to Get There

Zhaoxing Dong Village is easily accessible by high-speed train from both Guilin and Guiyang. The high-speed train from Guilin to Zhaoxing takes only about 1 hour, and combining these two destinations is a very popular travel route. Most travelers visit Zhaoxing after exploring Guilin.

You can also travel to Zhaoxing from Guiyang. It takes between 1.5 and 2 hours from Guiyang to Congjiang Station. Then, you'll need to drive 10 minutes to Zhaoxing's village entrance. There, you'll purchase your tickets and take another 10-minute drive to the village itself. Depending on where you're staying, you might have pick-up and drop-off services included in your accommodation, so make sure to ask.

Where to Stay in Zhaoxing

Our handpicked hotel in Zhaoxing – yoga room

You'll find a number of different accommodations for every style and budget in Zhaoxing, including local guesthouses and boutique hotels. Zhaoxing is a small village, so all accommodations are centrally located, and it's easy to walk to the main street where most of the restaurants are located.

All of these guesthouses come with private bathrooms and Western-style toilets; however, facilities and services may differ from those of boutique hotels. Most guesthouses don't offer a Western-style breakfast, and the staff does not typically speak English. If you want better hygiene and service standards, we recommend staying in a boutique hotel. Many of these accommodations also offer great views overlooking the village or surrounding countryside.

Top Travel Tips

These travel tips will help make your trip to Zhaoxing Dong Village as enjoyable as possible.

• You'll be doing plenty of walking, so wear comfortable shoes.
• While you can photograph the scenery, avoid taking pictures of local people without their permission.
• Consider picking up some local handicrafts, including silver and wooden items, as souvenirs.
• Pack layers and bring an umbrella, especially if you're going to be out on the trails or terraces.
• Don't touch the drums or other artifacts in the drum towers.
• Experience the Cultural Wonder of Zhaoxing Dong Village.

A trip to Zhaoxing is bound to be one of the most memorable parts of your vacation. From the impressive wooden architecture and beautiful nature to the history and culture of the Dong people, it's a truly incredible place. Let us help you plan your dream vacation. Visit our contact page or email trip@odynovotours.com, and let's get started today.