Liping Dongxiang Scenic Area

Liping Dongxiang Scenic Area

The Liping Dongxiang Scenic Area is a national key scenic spot and a national AAAA-level tourist attraction.

The Liping Dongxiang National Key Scenic Area is situated in Liping County, Guizhou Province, at the intersection of Hunan, Guizhou, and Guangxi (provinces/autonomous regions). The county seat, serving as the center of the scenic area, lies 467 km from Guiyang, 271 km from Kaili, 81 km from Jingzhou Station on the Zhijiang–Liuzhou Railway, 320 km from the Guilin Scenic Area in Guangxi, and 242 km from the Wuyang River Scenic Area. It serves as the gateway and a major attraction along Guizhou Province’s eastern tourism route. The scenic area spans approximately 159 square kilometers and consists of “four zones, two points, and one cluster,” namely the Zhaoxing–Diping, Maogong–Bazhai, Yandong–Koujiang, and Bazhou River–Tianshengqiao zones, the independent Shangzhong and Hongzhou spots, and the Defeng Qiaojie ancient architectural ensemble. The area features well-preserved and traditional Dong ethnic architecture, a long-standing and captivating Dong culture, rich and authentic local customs, unparalleled karst natural bridges, classic red tourism heritage, diverse and stunning landscapes, and a pleasant climate. The seamless integration of natural scenery and ethnic minority culture, along with breathtaking cultural sights such as drum towers, flower bridges, and Dong-style homes, make it a prime destination. Dong Grand Choirs, Dong Pipa Songs, and Dong Opera have all been included in the National Intangible Cultural Heritage list, making this area an ideal place for sightseeing and cultural education.

The Diping–Zhaoxing scenic zone is 67 km from the county seat. The Diping attraction lies near Ga’an on National Highway 321, and the Liping–Ga’an secondary oil road runs through the zone. This area includes nine attractions: Zhaoxing Dong Village, Diping Wind-Rain Bridge, Jitang Lusheng Festival, Tang’an Dong Ethnic Eco-Museum, Xiage Clay Figurine Festival, and Jiliu Silver Ornaments. Among them, Zhaoxing Dong Village holds a Guinness World Record for its architecturally harmonious ensemble of five drum towers, five flower bridges, five stages, and densely arranged Dong-style houses. In 2005, it was named one of “China’s Six Most Beautiful Rural Ancient Towns” in a China Geographic Magazine competition.

Currently, Zhaoxing Dong Village has relatively complete tourism facilities, with five drum towers hosting splendid Dong song and dance performances every evening. The Diping Wind-Rain Bridge is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit. Spanning 54.6 meters in length and 4.5 meters in width, the bridge features three pavilions adorned with colorful murals depicting ethnic customs, farming, weaving, and historical figures. It not only facilitates pedestrian passage but also offers a place to rest, take shelter from rain, socialize, and enjoy river views, complementing the surrounding village. This multifunctional Dong structure was tragically destroyed by a once-in-a-century flood in July 2004. Thanks to the brave efforts of the Dong people, who salvaged 80% of its components during the flood, it is now under reconstruction. Tang’an Dong Village is surrounded by verdant peaks, terraced fields, and crisscrossing paths. It is a Dong Ethnic Eco-Museum jointly developed by China and Norway. The zone hosts numerous ethnic and folk festivals, including large-scale Dong celebrations during Spring Festival, Labor Day, and National Day.

The Tianshengqiao–Bazhou River scenic zone is 5 km from the county seat and includes 19 attractions such as Tianshengqiao, Bazhou River, Shilongshan Forest, Shaozhai Countryside Scenery, Shaozhai Red Army Bridge, and Cormorant Perch. The karst landforms—natural stone arches, caves, and cliffs—are the highlight of this zone. The fresh and elegant natural landscape blends seamlessly with serene and harmonious rural scenes, creating an enchanting experience. Liping Tianshengqiao is a rare natural stone arch bridge, marvelously integrating grandeur, wonder, danger, and beauty. It spans 103.71 meters, is 118 meters wide, and sits 33.4 meters above the water—holding a Guinness World Record. Shilongshan Mountain, located 5 km northwest of Liping County, covers 16 square kilometers and boasts lush vegetation, ancient towering trees, and a rich diversity of over ten species of nationally protected plants, including Pteroceltis tatarinowii, Emmenopterys henryi, and Manglietia fordiana. The forest also hosts numerous rare flowers, plants, and valuable medicinal herbs, functioning as a natural botanical garden. The scenic area is surrounded by water on three sides, with 26 streams and 36 waterfalls of varying sizes. At its base lies a picturesque 10-kilometer reservoir area that captivates visitors.

The Maogong–Bazhai scenic zone is 18 km from the county seat, with Provincial Road 302 passing through it. It includes five attractions: Dimen Qiansan Reunion Festival, Gaojin Theater, Lawong Wu Wencui Tomb, Dingba Dong Costumes, and Dengcen Tree Bark Papermaking. This zone is the birthplace of Dong Opera and home to its pioneer, Wu Wencui, showcasing Dong opera and traditional Dong architecture. Dimen Dong Village, located 4 km from Maogong Township, is second only to Zhaoxing in preserving ancient and intact Dong cultural traditions. With a history of over 700 years, it features three flower bridges, two drum towers, and three stages.

Dimen exudes strong Dong ethnic charm. Major festivals include the annual Qiansan Reunion Festival from the 11th to 15th day of the first lunar month, featuring five main activities: ancestral hymn singing, group dancing, Dong opera performances, social gatherings, and bullfighting. Dengcen Village, just 1 km from Dimen, preserves tree bark papermaking techniques passed down for over 500 years, a provincial-level protected ancient granary complex, and a Sino-Japanese Friendship Drum Tower. Lawong Village is the hometown of Wu Wencui, with his tomb designated as a provincial cultural relic site. From Qingzhai Village in Bazhai Township to Gaojin in Maogong Township, over ten villages along a 10-km stretch of road are entirely Dong, showcasing intact drum towers, flower bridges, village gates, homes, granaries, wells, fishponds, stone-paved paths, fields, and ancient trees. This area is hailed as the “Dong Ethnic Culture Corridor.”

The Yandong–Koujiang scenic zone is located in southwestern Liping, 28 km from the county seat, and includes five attractions: Yandong Dong Grand Choirs, Huanggang “Official-Lifting” Festival, Shudong Single-Pillar Drum Tower, Sizhai Wrestling Festival, and Yinzhao Dong Costumes. This zone highlights Dong Grand Choirs and ethnic festivals. Since a group of Dong girls performed in Paris at the 1986 Francophonie Festival, Dong Grand Choirs have gained international acclaim, earning praise as “music as clear as spring.” Yandong serves as a “Dong Grand Choir Protection Base” for both the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. In Dong villages, it’s common to see elders teaching, youths singing, and children learning, with voices blending naturally like birdsong and flowing streams. The Single-Pillar Drum Tower in Shudong Village, Yandong Township, Liping County, was built in 1636 during the Ming Dynasty. Supported by a single central pillar bearing the entire structure’s weight, it is the only one of its kind and considered the prototype of drum towers, holding a Guinness World Record.

The Defeng Qiaojie Ancient Architectural Ensemble includes two attractions: the Site of the Liping Conference and the Qiaojie Ancient Architecture Complex. It features revolutionary sites and historic buildings. The Liping Conference, a precursor to the Zunyi Conference, laid the foundation for its success and is regarded as its prelude. The Liping Conference Site is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit and serves as a base for patriotic education.

Independent attractions include the Shangzhong Gaiding Spot and the Hongzhou Pingjia Spot.

Liping Dongxiang is like a shy maiden cloaked in mystery, unknown to the world for centuries. As the veil lifts, it has drawn increasing attention from tourists, scholars, and experts globally. As a fully open national key scenic area, Liping Dongxiang is a paradise for self-driving travelers.

Source: Tongren Municipal People's Government Website

Further Reading:

· Fifth Batch of National Key Scenic Areas