Exploring Hidden Corners with National Geographic—Zhaoxing Dong Village

Finally visited the long-awaited Zhaoxing Dong Village! I thought it would rain, but the weather forecast was wrong—both days were sunny. So, don’t stress if the forecast says rain, sisters—it’s still beautiful even when it rains! - I took the high-speed train from Shenzhen, transferring in Guangzhou to reach Zhaoxing Dong Village. I booked Biyin Hotel in advance, and they arranged a pickup from the train station. 📆 My recommended itinerary (3 days, 3 nights) ▪️ DAY1: Arrive at noon → Check in at Biyin → Capture panoramic views at the observation deck → Tie-dye workshop → Watch sunset at the drum tower → Sour fish soup at Donglang Restaurant → Bonfire party ▪️ DAY2: Shoot morning mist at 7 AM → Pork rice noodles at Liao Pangzi → Hike through Tang'an Rice Terraces → Stay at Xiage ▪️ DAY3: Relax at Xiage Rice Terraces → Return trip - 🍃 Top 5 must-do experiences—don’t leave without trying these! 1. Visit the observation deck for a stunning view of the drum tower cluster—the whole village looks like an ink painting. 2. Try a tie-dye DIY workshop: Many shops offer this—pick one you like and take home a unique souvenir. 3. Hike through the rice terraces: Both Tang'an and Xiage are great—soothing views guaranteed. 4. Attend the bonfire party at night: Join the Duoye dance, listen to the ethereal harmonies of Dong folk songs, and experience the "High Mountain Flowing Water" toast ritual. 5. Must-try Dong cuisine: Sour fish soup at Donglang Restaurant, black pork rice noodles at Liao Pangzi, and sticky rice from the green-scarf auntie’s stall—all delicious! 📸 Then, it’s photo time! I opted for makeup and styling (the one I chose wasn’t great, so I won’t recommend it, but the experience was fun). ▪️ Head to the corner of Yituan Drum Tower to capture the idyllic Dong village life with curling smoke. ▪️ Tie-dye workshop drying racks: The blue-and-white fabric backdrop is super soothing. ☑️ Zhaoxing Dong Village is small—you can walk around twice in a day—so don’t worry about missing out. Every stroll is picturesque!