Dali Dong Village is home to more than 1,000 people of the Dong ethnic group. Located in the Rongjiang county, Guizhou province, the village has a unique history that can be traced back to the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).

Its ancient building complexes are part of the reason that the village was entered into the list of “China Traditional Villages” in 2012. As a result, Dali Dong has become an up and coming tourist destination, with visitor number continuing to increase every year.

The village was built along a stream on which five centuries-old stone bridges link people living on both sides. More than 400 old trees encircle the village, protecting it from outside winds, rain and other harsh weather conditions.

A stone road from the Qing Dynasty (1368-1644) cuts through the village’s charming households and ancient architectural structures.

All the buildings in the village are built from wood, the most common of which are built as quadrangle dwellings. Originally, there were eight dwellings and only two surviving the 150 years’ period.

On festivals, Dong operas, worship ceremonies and other folk activities of ethnic characters are held in the village. Visitors will be hard pressed to find a local who isn’t good at singing ethnic songs that have been passed down from generation to generation. Woodcarvings produced there are also worth having a look at.

Dali Dong village in Guizhou’s Rongjiang county is a hidden gem, nestled in the middle of virgin forest. [Photo/xinhuanet.com]