Travel Guide Zhaoxing 肇兴

This small Dong village is located south-east of Kaili near the Frontière border. Despite a hours journey on winding roads, the visit is worth a visit! Nestled in the middle of the rice fields, in a valley with magnificent landscapes, Zhaoxing consists of some 700 traditional wooden houses.During your trip, you can admire five impressive Drum Towers, these political and cultural centres of the Dong community. In equivalent numbers, the Rain and Wind bridges will take you over time, fascinating testimony of the rich and singular Dong culture. The inhabitants confer on these bridges protective and sacred properties: they embody both the entrance and exit of the village, but also, more symbolically, the path of life.Villagers live in the rhythm of the land's work. With simple hospitality, some will probably agree to take you to the rice fields, invite you to a festive meal or get you taste local tea, the oil tea. It is a nourishing mix of tea, aleurite oil, rice and peanuts. The custom is that each guest drink at least three cups to honour his host.We also recommend a great walk in the hills around: a magnificent panorama of the grey roof roofs of the village is available to you. Provide good shoes and a small snack. In the evening, you'll have to witness a representation of the "great Song" Dong (dage), this enchanting polyphony where girls and boys give themselves the answer on themes related to community life, often lovers.