Take the high-speed train directly to this secluded ancient village for a laid-back National Day!
Crowds at the Miao Village✨
I prefer this seriously underrated treasure ancient village in Guizhou — Zhaoxing Dong Village🏞️
Address: Zhaoxing Town, Liping County, Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture, Guizhou Province
🕰️Recommended visit duration: 2 days 1 night
🚢Transportation:
High-speed train: Take the high-speed train from anywhere in the country to "Congjiang Station." Upon exiting, you will see the direct shuttle bus to the scenic area, 10 minutes/10 yuan to the village gate.
🚗Recommended itinerary:
DAY 1 Arrival and Strolling
11:00 Arrive at the village gate, check in to the stilt house inn, open the window to see the Wind and Rain Bridge.
12:00 After lunch, climb the "Zhaoxing Viewing Platform" to overlook five drum towers scattered like stars in the valley.
14:00 Leisurely walk along "Main Street → Rentuan Drum Tower → Yituan Drum Tower," see Dong brocade, lusheng, and indigo dyeing.
16:00 Learn to make Youcha tea with grandma, sip the salty and fragrant rice flower tea, listen to stories at the drum tower.
19:30 Night photography of the illuminated Wind and Rain Bridge, 20:00 watch the free Dong Grand Song performance, heavenly music echoing through the valley.
22:00 Return to the inn’s terrace to count stars, fall asleep accompanied by insect and frog sounds.
DAY 2 Surroundings and Return
07:30 Wake early to see mist swirling around the stilt houses, photos come with a fairy-like aura.
08:30 Rent a small electric scooter (40 yuan/half day) to "Tang’an Rice Terraces," 9 km mountain road with 18 bends, 1 hour to reach the cloud-top Dong village.
11:30 Eat rice field fish and glutinous rice wine at a farmhouse restaurant at the entrance of Tang’an Village, overlooking golden layered terraces.
13:30 Descend and return to Zhaoxing, stop by "Xiage Dong Village" on the way, fewer people and a large drum tower, 15 minutes is enough.
15:00 Return to the inn to pack, buy some handmade Dong cloth and embroidery as souvenirs.
16:00 Take the direct shuttle/high-speed train back, body not far but heart already slow.
🍜Food recommendations:
1. Zhaoxing Youcha: glutinous rice, rice flowers, peanuts, and tea cooked together, salty and warm, a breakfast staple.
2. Sour Soup Beef: local yellow cattle + red sour soup, sour and spicy, pairs with at least three bowls of glutinous rice.
3. Niubie Hotpot: a must-try for the brave, herbal beef stomach essence, bitter at first then sweet, dip in sauce to cut greasiness.
4. Rice Field Fish: freshly caught and grilled, crispy skin wrapped with glutinous rice grains, even the fish bones are crispy.
5. Roasted Fragrant Pork: Dong New Year dish, crispy skin and tender meat, dip in chili powder for a divine bite.
6. Hand-poured Glutinous Rice Wine: mildly sweet 5 degrees, perfect for night chats; strong “Weijiu” drink cautiously, one cup and you’re down.
💲Budget (per person):
Transportation: round-trip high-speed train to Guiyang ≈ 260 yuan; taxi to/from Congjiang Station ≈ 20 yuan; walking inside the village 0 yuan.
Accommodation: stilt house inn 150-300 yuan/night (add 50 yuan for window view room).
Meals: main meals 40-60 yuan/meal, snacks 10-20 yuan, about 200 yuan for 2 days.
Tickets: Zhaoxing Dong Village 80 yuan (70 yuan if bought online in advance); Tang’an Rice Terraces free; shuttle bus round trip 20 yuan.
Local transport: small electric scooter 40 yuan/half day; Tang’an sightseeing bus 20 yuan.
Total: 500-700 yuan/person, flexible according to budget.
⚠️Practical Tips:
1. Clothing: Around 17°C in the morning and evening in October, bring a light jacket + rain shoe covers, terraces are often foggy and wet.
2. Tickets: You can buy a combined ticket at the high-speed train station, including Zhaoxing entrance + shuttle bus, half price for students.
3. Accommodation: Choose near "Xintuan Drum Tower" for convenient nightlife; avoid near the performance square if sensitive to noise.
4. Photography: Best spot for Wind and Rain Bridge is the second bridge on Main Street with backlight, no one before 8 am; no flash inside drum towers.
5. Customs: When entering the village, receive the welcome wine with both hands; do not point at statues or sit on thresholds inside drum towers.
6. Payment: Most shops support WeChat Pay and Alipay, but Tang’an Rice Terraces only accept cash, prepare 200 yuan in small bills.
7. Environment: Most stilt houses are wooden, strictly no smoking indoors; carry out your trash to keep this utopia pristine.
Two days and one night, listen to rain on stilt houses, grand songs at drum towers, watch clouds roll over terraces. High-speed train direct access, no long trek needed. Leave the crowds to others this National Day, keep the slow time for yourself. Zhaoxing Dong Village is waiting for you to relax.