Sanjiang

Sanjiang is located at the connecting point North of Guangxi, Hunan and Guizhou; it is an autonomous region mainly consisting mainly of Dong Ethnic Tribe, which makes up for more than 54% of the people of the whole of the county.
Sanjiang Dong Minority Autonomous County is 7 hours northwest of Gulin, just south of the border with Guzhou Province . The Dong comprise over 50% of the county's 300,000 inhabitants.
Sanjiang's main attraction is the neat, indigo-clad Dong themselves, a people renowned for their wooden houses, Drum Towers and bridges which dot the countryside hereabouts, and it's well worth roving the region with the help of minibuses and converted tractors known locally as "Dong taxis". There's a scattering of simple hostels and places to eat, and villagers will sometimes offer lodgings and sustenance - characteristically sour hotpots, oil tea (a bitter, salty soup made from fried tea leaves and puffed rice), and homemade rice wine - though it's polite to offer payment in these circumstances. Language can be problematic, as many locals can't speak putonghua, let alone English; people are, however, very friendly.
The Chengyang Wind and Rain Bridge
Before entering the Ma'an Village, there is a big bridge crossing the river, it is the best preserved Wind and Rain Bridge which contains 5 parts. The bridge dates back to the 1920's and is for many people the main reason to visit the village.

There are more bridges when you visit other villages, they are all beautiful, colorful life activities can be witness in the bridges. Flourishing textile tradition is apparent most everywhere.

Water Wheals along the Linxi River
Huge wooden Water Wheals pumping water from the river for rice paddies, life have not changed for centuries. Also a good fishing place, the best tim for fishing is in the early morning and late evening.

Ma'an Village
Main attractions are the houses in Dong Village, Diaojiaolou is the name for houses in Dong Village, generally made of China Fir, are two to four story dwellings. In most areas, the upper floors serve as living quarters, while the lower floor is kept for domestic animals and storage.

Drum Towers
Every village has at least one drum tower, the drum tower is the highest and most revered structure in the village. It is traditionally open and spacious for public gathering where the women weave and spin, young children play, and where old folks rest and chat.

The life music of the lusheng show is played at 10h30 per day in summer, it is a show for tourists, worth to take a look, while you might find out the local audiences watching the show with you might be more attractive than the actors and actress, let your camera be ready at any moment.

Dong Ethnic Primary School
Visitors from home and abroad helped to build this school, children are friendly to visitors. A school visit needed to ask for an apointment with the school authority in advance.

Festival Calendar in Guizhou

February 2011

Places to go in Guizhou

Basha

In Guizhou, Miao ethnic in Basha village might be the only native trible who still dress in traditional clothes during their work. ...more

Kaili

Kaili is a city in the Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture, a significant population of Miao and Gejia live in Kaili. Kaili is host to more than 120 Miao festivals throughout the year....more

Zhaoxing

Zhaoxing is one of the largest Dong villages in the region, many local people continue to wear traditional clothing and speak only their native Dong language. ...more