Zhaoxing for us is a true story of China‘s impressive transformation.
When my husband first visited this Dong village in 2008, you could only get there by a long bus ride through the mountains. Back then, it was a beautiful but very poor place - so poor that the Lonely Planet guidebook warned travelers about locals eating grilled rat meat.
When we visited recently, it felt like stepping into a different world.
The dirt paths are now paved streets full of tourists. Instead of a day-long journey, you can reach Zhaoxing by a quick one-hour high-speed train from Guilin. The traditional wooden Dong houses are still there, but now they're joined by nice hotels with great views over the valley.
You can find all kinds of food here, from local Dong dishes to western meals.
We expected to find a quiet countryside village, and honestly, Zhaoxing feels a bit too touristy now. But it showed us something else instead - how quickly China can turn a remote village into a modern tourist spot, just by providing necessary infrastructure . F
or us, it worked perfectly as a stop between Beijing and Chengdu, giving us a comfortable place to rest while learning about China's village life.
Quick Summary
🗺️ Location: Guizhou Province, Southeast China
⏱️ Ideal Duration: 2-3 days
💲 Budget: $50-100 per day
🌡️ Best Time: March-May, September-November
🏠 Where to Stay: Creedside Inn
Table of Contents
- Best Time to Visit Zhaoxing
- Where to Stay in Zhaoxing
- Top Things to Do in Zhaoxing
- Visiting Zhaoxing with Kids
- How to Get to Zhaoxing
- Where to Eat
- Tips for Visiting
- FAQs
Best Time to Visit Zhaoxing
Zhaoxing's weather and cultural calendar greatly influence your experience. We visited in the peak summer heat, and while still beautiful and worth visiting, the humidity was really taxing.
On top of that, Zhaoxing is a very popular destination for local tourism – it is very busy in the summer, especially on the weekends when local tourists from Guiyang arrive.
- Spring (March-May): Ideal time with mild temperatures and occasional rain. The spring rice planting season brings special ceremonies and songs.
- Summer (June-August): Hot and humid with frequent rain. While the rice terraces are brilliantly green, humidity can make hiking (or walking) uncomfortable – really uncomfortable.
- Fall (September-November): Another perfect time to visit. Clear skies, comfortable temperatures, and harvest festivals make this season special.
- Winter (December-February): Cold but dry. While chilly, this is when you'll see traditional New Year celebrations and fewer tourists.
🌟 Pro Tip: Try to time your visit with the Dong New Year (usually falls in November) to experience the grandest local festivals and performances.
Where to Stay in Zhaoxing
We stayed in Creedside Inn that is a bit off the main street — but Zhaoxing is super small so it doesn‘t make much difference.
We really loved that hotel, probably one of the best small hotels we stayed in throughout our first trip to China.
We had the top floor family room, with a small play tipi on the terrace, with beautiful views on the rice fields and hills surrounding the village.
The best highlight of the hotel was delicious breakfast and a tea/coffee with small dessert included in the price. I highly recommend trying their speciality ice coffees and ice. teas mixed with different juices, really delicious.
Only avoid the hotel if you don‘t like cats, as there are a few roaming freely around the reception area.
Best Areas to Stay:
- Main Street Area - Best for most visitors
- Why stay here: Central location, close to restaurants and drum towers
- Recommended Hotels:
- 💎 Luxury: BE‘IN Castle in the Air (From $100/night)
- 👍 Mid-range: One Mu Rice Field Boutique B&B (Zhaoxing Dong Village Branch) (From $60/night)
- 🏠 Budget: Quilin Pavilion Inn (From $19/night)
- Hillside Area - Best for views
- Why stay here: Spectacular village views, quieter atmosphere
- Recommended Hotels:
- 👍 Creedside Inn (From $70/night)
🌟 Pro Tip: Look on the map if the hotel is actually inside the historic old village — there were huge developlments happening at the time when we visited all around the village, so some of the resorts might actually be outside of the village!
Top Things to Do in Zhaoxing
1. Explore the Five Drum Towers
- Cost: Free
- Time needed: 2-3 hours
- Each tower represents one of the village's five clans
- Best visited early morning or late afternoon for photography
- Don't miss the Tang'an tower's traditional architecture details
2. Watch Dong Performances
- Cost: ¥60 for evening shows
- Time needed: 1-2 hours
- Traditional songs and dances near main square
- Try to catch both scheduled shows and open performances
- Evening performances are more elaborate
3. Hike to Tang'an Village
- Cost: Free
- Time needed: Half-day
- 2-hour scenic hike through rice terraces
- Less touristy than Zhaoxing
- Bring water and good walking shoes
4. Wind and Rain Bridges
- Cost: Free
- Time needed: 1-2 hours
- Visit all three historic bridges
- Best photographed early morning or late afternoon
- Look for local elderly playing cards and games inside
Visiting Zhaoxing with Kids
While Zhaoxing welcomes all travelers, families will find it especially rewarding:
- Kid-Friendly Activities:
- Try on traditional Dong clothing
- Visit a traditional cultural performance
- Practical Tips for Families:
- Streets are not really stroller friendly, I recommend using a baby carrier
- Many restaurants have picture menus
- Local families are very welcoming to children
- Schedule rest breaks during hot afternoons
How to Get to Zhaoxing
From Guilin:
- High-speed train to Congjiang (40 min)
- Taxi or bus from Congjiang to Zhaoxing (30 min)
From Guiyang:
- Train to Congjiang (1.5 h)
- Taxi or bus to Zhaoxing (30 min)
🚗 Pro Tip: Both buses and taxis go only to the village entrance. If your hotel is far and your luggage heavy, there are golf carts that move poeple around the village, or you can arrange pick up/drop off with your hotel
What to Eat
There is abundance of restaurant and street food available. Our preference was street BBQs — there are all meats you want available, but I recommend going for something more unusual, like different tofus, peppers, spring onions and other veg. Everything is delicious.
In the summer cool down with fresh watermelon juices available at every corner.
Tips for Visiting
- Money
- Payment using WeChat and AliPay
- Bring only a little bit of cash just in case WeChat/AliPay doesn‘t work
- Many accommodations accept Western credit cards
FAQs
Q: Is Zhaoxing worth visiting?
A: Absolutely, especially if you're interested in authentic Chinese minority culture. It's one of the best-preserved Dong villages in China.
Q: How many days do I need in Zhaoxing?
A: 2-3 days is ideal to explore the village and nearby areas without rushing.
Q: Can I visit Zhaoxing year-round?
A: Yes, though spring and fall offer the best weather and cultural experiences.
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Last updated: January 2025
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