The most distinctive feature on the landscape of the land of Dong Ethnic villages is its beautiful drum tower. A drum tower is a pagoda shaped multi-leveled wooden structure built without nails or bolts, yet can withstand decades of inclement weather.

Each tower serves as a public meeting ground for cultural activities, ceremonies, official business and performances of various kinds. A drum tower is usually placed at a strategic point in a district.

Every drum tower always is built with many levels. The total number of levels can only be an odd number Dong people believe that all odd numbers express good fortune. A large cow hide drum is placed on the top most level of the tower. Whenever the drum is sounded, residents would forsake whatever may occupy them at the moment and rush over to receive verbal commands or news of various natures.

There are many drum towers in Chengyang, Sanjiang, Congjiang and Zhaoxing, varying from 7 to 13 levels high. On the ground floor of the tower, a fire pit built with blue stone is placed. Four pillars, named 'Golden Pillars', representing the four seasons of the year, are placed around the pit. In addition, 12 eave-columns stand around the pit to represent the 12 months in a year. Whenever any special event is taken place, a fire would be lit in the pit four long benches are added around the pit.

A visitor may only be impressed by the structural beauty of a drum tower. But to the Dong people, the drum tower stands for the glue that links their daily lives as well as the pride of a cultural creation.

Dong Villages
Zhaoxing      Tang'An      Chengyang     

Culture of Dongs
Sanyuejie Festival      Marriage Customs      Music      New Year      Traditional costumes      Drum Towers      Flower Bridges      Lusheng Festival     
Dong Houses     Carrying the Governors Parade      Drama     Rice Planting     Traditional Common Law     Worship the Goddess Sa Sui