Xiaohuang Dong Village (小黄侗寨) encompasses three administrative villages: Xiaohuang, Gaohuang, and Xinqian. Nestled amid verdant mountains, the village is adorned with stilted wooden houses that harmonize with the surrounding landscapes. Due to its secluded geographical location, the entire village has retained a relatively primitive appearance, preserving many ancient customs, among which singing the grand songs (Da Ge) stands out.
In Xiaohuang Village, singing is not only a skill possessed by everyone but also a beloved pastime. The village boasts over 20 formal singing teams, with more than 1,000 members. It has earned titles such as the “Land of Dong Songs,” the “Land of Chinese Folk Arts,” and “Clear Springs and Shimmering Lights.” However, it’s important to note that the grand Dong songs are only performed during festivals.
Table of Contents
- Basic Information
- Location and Transportation
- Story of Xiaohuang Dong Village
- Vlog about Xiaohuang Dong Village
- Other Attractions in Congjiang County
Basic Information
| Estimated Length of Tour | Half a day |
| Ticket Price | Normal Days: 12 RMB Holidays: 30 RMB Grand Dong Song Performance: 400 RMB |
| Opening Hours | 24 hours a day throughout the year |
Location and Transportation
Xiaohuang Dong Village is situated in Gaozeng Township, Congjiang County, Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture, Guizhou Province. It is approximately 15 kilometers from Gaozeng Township and a little over 20 kilometers from the county seat of Congjiang.
To reach Xiaohuang Dong Village, you can take a high-speed train to Congjiang Station. From there, there are two daily buses from Congjiang to Shuangjiang that pass through Xiaohuang. The bus ticket is approximately 10 yuan per person. If you prefer a more private mode of transportation, you can also negotiate a taxi fare directly to Xiaohuang Village, with prices typically ranging from 100 to 150 yuan per vehicle.
Story of Xiaohuang Dong Village
In the early 1980s, a French musician named Louis Dandrel came to the Dong region for inspiration. After listening to the grand Dong songs in Xiaohuang Village, he was full of praise, considering it a celestial melody on Earth. In October 1986, during the Autumn Arts Festival in Paris, he invited nine Dong village girls to perform the grand Dong songs. It is said that these nine girls sang for a full hour, enchanting the entire city of Paris. Even the chairman of the Arts Festival exclaimed after hearing the performance, “In the eastern part of Asia, among a minority population of only a few hundred thousand people, to create and preserve such ancient, pure, and shining folk choral art is truly rare in the world.”
Since then, the grand Dong songs from Xiaohuang have made numerous appearances on significant domestic and international stages, including the CCTV Spring Festival Gala, the World University Games Gala, and performances at the Beijing Concert Hall. These performances have garnered admiration from millions of viewers.
The cultural richness and artistic brilliance of Xiaohuang Dong Village have made it a beacon for the preservation and promotion of Dong ethnic traditions, especially in the realm of folk singing. The village’s commitment to maintaining its cultural heritage has not only delighted audiences but also earned it recognition on the global stage, emphasizing the significance of preserving such rare and ancient art forms.
