Zhaoxing Drum Tower

The five drum towers are the most famous tourist attractions in Zhaoxing. Each drum tower shows its unique own style and characteristics.

In the village, the drum towers are the hightest and the most respected buildings. In the past, they served as the warming device against invasions.

During the festivals and special meetings, villagers always congregate in the lower pavillions of the tower. They often gather there in the evening, dancing and listening to the traditional folk songs. Especially during the harvest period, the village is full of joyful, young people hold the festival dance surrounding the drum tower. They are honest and hospitality, and welcome the tourists to join in them.

Runtuan Drum-tower

Rentuan drum-tower with 7 stories, lies at the head of Zhaoxing and covers an area of 104 square kilometers, with the height of 18.47 meters. Runtuan drum-tower is also called“Lou Gao Zai”by the locals, that means the drum-tower as the head of the village. This is the place where the where the local Dong ethnic performances of singings and dancings will be held in the evening.

The history of Drum Towers

In ancient times, Zhaoxing villagers assembled with their weapons at the tower to await orders from the head of their clan. According to the tradition of the Dong ethnic groups, each drum tower represents one group of the local people. The head of the village divided the people into five groups in order to make administration easier. The five towers seperately represents kindness, politeness, intellect, righteousness and creditworthiness.

Magnificent art of architecture

The insides and outer of drum towers and covered bridges are often colorfully painted with scenes from Dong folk tales, legendary heroes, landscapes, animals and of activities such as ox-fighting and festive dancing. Aspects of daily life are likewise portrayed, such as playing musical instruments, hunting, spinning, weaving and dyeing, cooking. There are also carvings of dragons, snakes, tigers, geese, etc.

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