Eautiful scenery, scarcity of visitors, reasonable prices - these are the elements of an ideal travel destination. But do such places still exist in China?
I have to say - yes. Just travel to Zhaoxing, a small town in the southeast of Guizhou, and visit the people of the Dong Minority.
The days I spent in Zhaoxing were the most peaceful that I have ever experienced.
In the early morning when the first rays of sunlight appear in the sky, the streets and lanes in Zhaoxing come to life. People of the Dong minority gather to begin their life for another day.
The morning market is very interesting. Here you can try the local snacks; the fried rice ball was my favourite. The peddler was a middle-aged woman who is always happy to talk with travelers.
Following the early breakfast meal, the small town becomes quiet again as most people go out to the fields with baskets and tools to work.
During the day, you can stroll around Zhaoxing without being disturbed by throngs of people.
Drum towers
The most famous buildings in Zhaoxing are the five drum towers. According to the tradition of the Dong people, each individual drum tower represents one group of local people.
The drum tower is an open structure that can be viewed from different angles.
The Dong people in Zhaoxing are all surnamed Lu. According to an old man, the head of the Dong people in Zhaoxing divided the people into five groups in order to make administration easier. The five towers represent kindness, righteousness, politeness, intellect and creditworthiness.
The umbrella-shaped tower is also said to be an auspicious building that protects all Dong people. Individuals must take a drink of the water in the well in front of the tower before death. Only by drinking the water can an individual's spirit join his ancestors. If a person fails to drink from the well before death, their spirit will be left alone after death. Most local people believe this legend to a certain degree.
Flower bridges
Similar to the five towers, there are five bridges in Zhaoxing. Actually, the bridge is more of a building across the river, as most bridges are covered with pavilions. The bridges have earned the name "flower bridges" because of the exquisite sculptures that cover them. On a raining day, to sit in the bridge pavilion and chat with friends is one of the most pleasurable experiences.
On both sides of the bridges, you can find the houses of local people called diaojiao lou (houses built along the river).
Diaojiao lou in Zhaoxing features a public passage on the ground floor. People live in the houses built along the passage. With these passages and the five pavilion bridges, people can walk from one end of the village to the other without ever being exposed to the elements on a rainy day.
In addition, there are several places near Zhaoxing worth visiting - Kaili, Liping, Zhenyuan and Huangping. Local buses are available to travel from place to place.
Travel tips
Traffic: First take a train or plane from Shanghai to Guiyang, the provincial capital of Guizhou. Then take a long-distance bus or train to Zhaoxing.
Accommodation: There are almost no big hotels in the area. So be prepared to sojourn in small inns.
Shopping: Kuding Tea is the best product in the area. It is said to benefit health.
Weather: The weather is always rainy in Zhaoxing. Every year, an average of 170 days see rain.
(Shanghai Star March 21, 2002)
