Nestled in the lush mountains of Guizhou Province, Huanggang Village – an 800-year-old settlement of the Dong ethnic group – has been named one of UN Tourism's 2025 Best Tourism Villages. This recognition highlights its success in preserving cultural heritage while fostering sustainable development through community-led tourism.
Known as the birthplace of the male-voice Dong Grand Song, a UNESCO-listed intangible cultural heritage, Huanggang captivates visitors with its centuries-old wooden drum towers, wind-and-rain bridges, and vibrant traditions. Local authorities report that cultural tourism initiatives have created over 200 jobs, boosting household incomes by 35% since 2020.
"Here, every song carries our history, and every building tells our story," says Long Xiaoyun, a Dong Grand Song practitioner.
Travelers can stay in traditional wooden stilt houses converted into homestays, participate in indigo dyeing workshops, and witness the village's unique "Three Customs" – rice harvesting festivals, fish-catching rituals, and communal wedding celebrations.
