See the scenery of the village known as the "First Dong Village."

This off-the-beaten-path trip is totally worth it! If you're tired of commercialized ancient towns, Zhaoxing Dong Village in Qiandongnan, Guizhou will definitely touch your heart! There are no bustling crowds of internet-famous spots here, only stilted buildings nestled by the mountains and water, clusters of drum towers arranged harmoniously, and cobblestone paths hiding the gentle charm of a thousand-year-old Dong village. Key attractions: The five major drum towers of Zhaoxing Dong Village (Ren, Yi, Li, Zhi, Xin) are the soul of the village, especially the central drum tower, whose flying eaves and upturned corners look incredibly textured in photos; the village’s wind and rain bridges alongside the babbling streams create a picturesque ink painting vibe in every snapshot. Special experience: Be sure to try the Dong village batik DIY, make your own indigo-dyed scarf and take a piece of the village’s blue home with you; in the evening, listen to a Dong folk song performance, where the a cappella harmonies sound as ethereal as the wind in the valley. Suggested itinerary: Day 1 - explore the village and photograph the drum towers + try batik dyeing; Day 2 - wake up early to see the Dong village in the morning mist, then hike the terraced fields at Tang’an Dong Village in the afternoon. Tips: The temperature difference between morning and evening in the Dong village is large, so remember to bring a light jacket; when eating sour soup fish, don’t miss the local rice flower fish, which tastes fresher. 👉The beauty of Zhaoxing Dong Village lies in preserving the original lifestyle of the Dong people. Elderly people bask in the sun by the drum towers, women wash clothes by the stream—the rustic life and natural ecology blend perfectly. The only minor downside is that some commercial streets are a bit commercialized, but it doesn’t affect the overall charm. Where is your favorite off-the-beaten-path ancient town? Share in the comments~