Jitang Dong Village

Jitang Dong Village

The Jitang Drum Tower is located in Jitang Village, Zhaoxing Township, Liping County, Guizhou Province, with a total of three towers. They are extremely majestic and spectacular. In 1982, the Jitang Drum Towers were listed as a provincial-level key cultural relic protection unit.

Jitang is divided into an upper village and a lower village, each with a drum tower, supported by twelve large fir tree logs. The main body of the tower is octagonal, while the top transforms into a four-cornered pyramidal multi-eaved roof. The ground around the drum tower and the pathways of the surrounding homes are inlaid with pebbles forming patterns symbolizing joy and good fortune.

The Jitang Drum Tower has a long history of construction and has undergone multiple renovations. It was damaged in 1966 and was voluntarily restored in 1978 by local Dong people who contributed labor and materials. The Tangming Drum Tower stands about 22 meters high on twelve large fir logs erected on stone bases, towering prominently in the village. The tower uses gradually inward-leaning beams and full-dragon pillars to support its multi-tiered eaves that jut out layer by layer, resembling a pagoda. There are no internal floor panels, leaving the interior open up to the spire. The base of the tower covers approximately 160 square meters, with a central fire pit inlaid with bluestone slabs, surrounded by simple wooden benches. In front of the tower is a song plaza, beside which stands a small and delicate Dong opera stage, facing the drum tower. The base of the tower is square, while the upper part is octagonal, featuring nine tiers of eaves and a four-cornered pyramidal roof. Beneath the iron spire are decorative ruyi brackets. The eaves are covered with small blue tiles. The ridges are white, with upturned wing corners adorned with animal ornaments such as fitted beasts, lions, tigers, phoenixes, monkeys, rabbits, snakes, insects, and birds. The interior is also richly decorated with carved beams and painted rafters. Between the first and second tiers of eaves upstairs is a wood carving of “two dragons playing with a pearl,” and the main gate features a gleaming gold-plated plaque inscribed with “Happiness Hall.”

Address: Jitang Village, Zhaoxing Township, Liping County, Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture, Guizhou Province

Opening Hours:

Open all day