Guan Dong Dong Village at the Border of Guangxi, Hunan, and Guizhou: More Pristine than Liping, More Lively than Chengyang

When it comes to tourism in Guangxi, many friends think of Guilin's landscapes, Detian Waterfall, Longsheng Rice Terraces, Beihai Silver Beach, etc., but few think of Liuzhou. Although Liuzhou is also quite famous, it is known as a sub-center of Guangxi renowned for its industry. Liuzhou Wuling, Liugong, Liuqi, Liangmianzhen toothpaste, Liugang—these are all nationally famous industrial brands. In fact, Liuzhou is not only strong in industry but also has a tourism sector that should not be underestimated. Take Sanjiang County under its jurisdiction as an example; there are many wonderful places worth visiting.

Sanjiang is located in the northernmost part of Guangxi, a tri-province border area adjacent to Guizhou and Hunan. It is hailed as the home of world bridges and towers and the hall of Dong ethnic customs. Here, you can find not only the world's first covered bridge with corridors—Sanjiang Wind and Rain Bridge, the world's largest wooden structure—China Dong Nationality (museum), the first drum tower in Dong villages—Sanjiang Drum Tower, and the world's largest, longest, and most content-rich Dong historical and cultural stele corridor, but also many pristine ethnic villages. For example, Guandong Dong Village, located in the middle of Guandong Village, Linxi Town, is one of them.

For many friends, Guandong Dong Village is not a famous scenic spot. It cannot compare with well-known ethnic villages like Liping Dong Village or Qianhu Miao Village, nor can it match Danzhou or Chengyang Eight Villages within Sanjiang County. However, Guandong has its own characteristics: it remains largely uncommercialized, an authentic and traditional ancient village.

Like other Dong villages, wherever there is a Dong village, there is a drum tower. The drum tower in Guandong is also the landmark and the tallest building in the village. It was first built during the Kangxi reign of the Qing Dynasty. It is a nine-story all-wood pagoda-style structure, with a core frame composed of four large Chinese fir columns reaching straight to the top.

The outer layer of the drum tower is constructed with numerous small columns and flying eaves with perforated beams crossing and connecting directly. The tower is 15 meters high, with seven layers of flying eaves on which painted flowers and birds adorn, exhibiting strong ethnic characteristics. During festivals, men, women, old, and young in the Dong village dress in festive costumes and come here to play the Lusheng, dance Duoye, sing, perform plays, welcome guests, and send them off—a scene full of joy.

Even when it's not a festival, this place is the villagers' favorite hangout. When we arrived that day, we saw many elderly people sitting in the small square in front of the drum tower. They told Yu Fan (the author) that these people are their lifelong close brothers and sisters. Whenever they have free time, they bring their own stools to the square to chat and enjoy themselves. This has become their fixed recreational routine. If they miss a day sitting in the square, they feel something is missing.

The village features a majestic drum tower, exquisite wind and rain bridges, and continuous stilted houses, creating a strong ethnic atmosphere. Surrounded by lush forests, flowing streams, and fresh air, the village is a natural oxygen bar with a serene environment.

Perhaps due to rural revitalization or the desire to develop tourism, in recent years, Guandong Dong Village has leveraged its rich Dong customs and farming culture to create a golden brand of "Hundred Family Banquet," invigorating ethnic culture and attracting many tourists from home and abroad. Maybe it will become more popular in the future, but I still prefer the current authentic and pristine Guandong Dong Village. What do you think?