The Dong community in Guizhou’s Rongjiang County transformed Leli Dong Village into a kaleidoscope of tradition this week, celebrating their annual New Year with vibrant music, parades, and cultural displays. 🌄 Dressed in intricately embroidered attire, residents sang folk songs, played the lusheng (a traditional reed pipe instrument), and marched through the village in a burst of color—a sight likened to “stepping into a living museum of Dong heritage.”
The Dong New Year, recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage of China since 2011, is more than a party. It’s a sacred time for family reunions, honoring ancestors, and giving thanks for harvests. 🍚✨ Locals say the festivities also serve as a bridge, inviting outsiders to experience their uniquely preserved customs. Tourists flocked to Rongjiang to witness dances, taste sticky rice cakes, and soak in the community’s pride—a reminder that “culture is best lived, not just learned.”
For young travelers and culture buffs, Rongjiang’s celebration is a bucket-list gem. As one visitor put it: “It’s like time-traveling to ancient traditions—but with better Instagram potential.” 📸💃
