Tang’an Dong Ethnic Eco-Museum

Tang’an Dong Ethnic Eco-Museum

Five kilometers up into the mountain valley beyond Zhaoxing lies a Dong village called Tang’an, which has long been captivating. Here, layered peaks and lush greenery stretch as far as the eye can see, while stilted wooden houses crisscross the landscape, forming a vivid and rustic painting.

Tang’an is a joint cultural development project between China and Norway and is one of the four eco-museums in Guizhou, namely the Tang’an Museum in Liping County. Looking back at Tang’an’s 700-year history, we can’t help but deeply admire the exemplary combination of Dong village culture and natural heritage here. The history of the entire village can be traced back to its drum tower. Up the hill from there lies a beautiful ancient swing well, its clear spring flowing year-round, nourishing the whole community. To the left front stands an elegant Sama Shrine, embodying the spiritual anchor of the Dong people. The village’s crisscrossing paths connect nine exits, each guarded by a quaint, traditional small gate. Further up the hill within the village lies a cemetery with over ten elaborately carved Qing Dynasty tombs adorned with dragons and phoenixes—embodying a true representation of Tang’an’s Dong culture.

What makes Tang’an truly a museum is not only its unique cultural background but also its exceptionally beautiful natural environment. The quiet mountain village is perched high on the mountainside, embraced by terraced fields that look like colorful ribbons wrapped around it. Every morning, wisps of mist roll in, and fragrant scents waft through the village—it’s nothing short of a paradise. No wonder Mr. John Gisle Jonsson, a world-renowned Norwegian eco-museum expert, remarked after visiting Tang’an: “Tang’an is a model of humanity’s return to simplicity.” Internationally acclaimed eco-museum scholar Su Donghai said: “The Dong cultural system of Tang’an is highly sophisticated.”

The drum tower, theater stage, stilted wooden houses, stone-paved paths, ancient burial sites, ancient swing wells, as well as traditional implements such as water mills, stone mortars, and spinning wheels in Tang’an Village—all exude deep Dong cultural significance. Each corner holds tangible elements rich in Dong heritage. Mr. Jonsson sighed, “Tang’an is a model of humanity’s return to simplicity. A close look at the village’s artifacts fully attests to its long history.” It holds significant value for historical research, the study of Dong culture and customs, the development of Dong ethnic tourism resources, and the protection of human ecology.

Surrounded by verdant mountains and layered peaks, Tang’an Village features crisscrossing paths and terraced fields. The stilted houses along the mountainside are built in harmony with the terrain, hanging gracefully above the ground in an orderly fashion. The drum tower in the village is a symbol of good fortune, believed to anchor the souls of the Dong people. Together with the theater stage and singing ground, the drum tower forms a trinity that showcases the characteristics of a Dong village. The village paths twist and turn, all paved with bluestone slabs. Above the drum tower lies a spring that flows year-round, pouring into a square, handle-equipped stone basin—about two feet wide—supported by polygonal stone pillars. The cool spring water fills the basin and then flows out from grooves on either side. The Dong people call this handle-equipped well a “swing well,” as its shape resembles a wooden ladle.

Regarding the natural scenery, simple architecture, and local customs of Tang’an, Mr. Jonsson said: “All the natural and cultural heritage here is part of the eco-museum. Any object could serve as a historical record of the community and its people.”

As a Dong cultural community and cultural entity, Tang’an radiates its influence across the entire Liudong region. The phenomenon of Tang’an represents a process of harmonious coexistence and development between humans and nature. The preservation and development of this living eco-museum, along with the protection of the community’s heritage, will undoubtedly bring broad prospects for tourism.

On December 9, 1999, the People’s Government of Guizhou Province approved the establishment of the Guizhou Liping Tang’an Dong Ethnic Eco-Museum in Tang’an Village, Liping County.