Matian Drum Tower

　　Introduction      Situated in Tianxin Village, Pingyang Township, Tongdao Dong Autonomous County, the Matian Drum Tower was first built during the Shunzhi period of the Qing Dynasty and is a distinctive architectural structure of the Dong ethnic group. It is a square two-story pavilion with nine tiers and eight pillars, constructed entirely of wood. The tower is 8 meters wide and 20 meters tall. Its roof is octagonal, topped with an ornamental gourd finial. The eaves’ boarding and the main beams inside are painted with folk art designs, while the upturned eaves are adorned with carved reliefs of animals. The ground floor features a central hearth surrounded by wooden benches. The front wall on the second floor is a movable panel that can double as a stage for performances.     The first to eighth tiers each have four corners, while the ninth tier has eight. Symmetrical carvings of auspicious symbols such as flying dragons, qilins, phoenixes, peacocks, ao fish, lions, and running deer are mounted on the four-sided tiled eaves. Various birds, fish, flowers, and plants are also painted on the horizontal beams, featuring clear lines and vibrant colors. The entire structure is exquisitely built, beautifully shaped, elegant, and dignified, representing a masterpiece of Dong ethnic architecture.  　    Transportation      Both the Matian Drum Tower and the Jiaolong Bridge are located within Duyan Park.

　　　    Admission / Opening Hours         20 yuan

　　 Huaihua City, Hunan Province