Zhaoxing Drum Towers

Zhaoxing is a large Dong village in Liping County, Qiandongnan Prefecture, in the far southeast of Guizhou, and is known for five drum towers that stand among its wooden houses. The Dong people, who have a long tradition of timber construction without nails, built drum towers as the social and ceremonial centre of each clan, and Zhaoxing's five towers correspond to its main clans, named Renlou, Yilou, Zhilou, Lilou and Xinlou in the local tradition. Dating of individual towers varies, and most have been rebuilt over several centuries after fires, which are a constant risk in densely packed wooden villages. The towers are multi-tiered pavilions with stacked, upturned eaves, some rising to 13 or more tiers, with a central fire pit used for gatherings and a drum on top that was beaten to warn of danger or call meetings. Around them stand wooden stilt houses, rice granaries, and covered wind-and-rain bridges that serve as shelters and meeting spots. The village is organised in a valley beside a river, with the drum towers each marking a clan neighbourhood and a plaza for performances. Dong song traditions, including the polyphonic Grand Song recognised by UNESCO, are performed in the towers and are central to the village's cultural identity. The approach to interpretation is that of a living village rather than a curated museum, with performances and displays of costumes, crafts and instruments in some locations. Restoration after fires, including a large blaze in the early 2000s, has rebuilt portions of the village in traditional style, and tourism infrastructure has expanded in recent decades. The ticket costs about CNY 100 and covers entry to the village and its main towers, and evening performances are typically held in the central plaza. Zhaoxing is reached by road from Liping or by high-speed rail via Congjiang or Liping stations.