Zhaoxing Dong Village, nestled in Guizhou Province’s lush landscapes, welcomed Chinese President Xi Jinping this week as spring painted its iconic wooden stilt houses and drum towers with new life. Founded in 986 AD, this UNESCO-recognized settlement isn’t just China’s largest Dong ethnic community – it’s a living history book 🎋✨.
Why does this place matter? Think ‘real-life Studio Ghibli scene’ meets cultural preservation. The village’s delicate footbridges and century-old rice terraces have earned titles like ‘China’s most beautiful rural ancient town’ – basically an influencer’s dream backdrop 📸.
More Than Just Pretty Views
President Xi’s visit highlights China’s focus on protecting cultural heritage while boosting sustainable tourism. For travelers, it’s a call to explore beyond China’s megacities – imagine learning traditional indigo dye techniques from Dong artisans! 👘
PSA for wanderlusters: The Dong are renowned for polyphonic choir traditions (no instruments needed!). Add this to your ‘post-pandemic adventure’ list ASAP 🌏🎶.
