Zhaoxing Dong Village
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Zhaoxing Village, located in China’s Guizhou Province, is a very large Dong Ethnic Minority Village. The village has remained little-changed for centuries and is a fantastic way to observe the colorful traditions, history, and history of one of China’s most interesting Ethnic Minority Groups.
The village is situated in a beautiful location, surrounded by mountains and there is a clear stream running through the village. The architecture in the village is unique. All the houses were built on stilts and no nails or metal fasteners of any sort were used to construct the homes. They are built using mortise and tenon construction techniques. The architecture utilizes gravity to keep them together. The buildings are built entirely of wood, which swells and shrinks with the seasons. Using metal fasteners would cause the wood to crack, so they cannot be used.
Unique to the Dong Ethnic Minority Group, a drum tower can be found in every village. The drum towers are tall hollow buildings, housing a large drum. The towers’ design causes the drums sound to be amplified and heard throughout the village. The drum towers are used as meeting places, places of celebration, and to inform the village of danger. Zhaoxing Village has five drum towers, each with its own name. The five drum towers are named; Yi (Righteousness), Li, (Courtesy), Zhi (Wisdom), and Xin (Faithfulness). They are all slightly different in appearance and height.
One of the most famous parts of the village is the Flower Bridge. The covered bridge is lined with benches and no metal fasteners were used in the bridge’s construction. The bridge was designed to sway with the strong winds that hit the village. It sways, so it does not break under the pressure.
Zhaoxing Village is a favorite destination on China tours. It allows visitors to witness the local culture and people in a way few destinations do. It is a great way to see what life has been like in China for centuries.
