Zhaoxing is a Dong town in Liping County, in the Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture of southeast Guizhou. It was made a town in January 2013. Liping County covers 4,439 square kilometers, about 70% of its residents are Dong, and it is regarded as a center of Dong culture. Zhaoxing is usually visited with Chengyang in Guangxi, on a loop through the Dong villages of the Guizhou, Guangxi and Hunan borderlands.
| Liping County | 4,439 km²; Dong about 70% of residents; county seat Defeng |
|---|---|
| Zhaoxing | became a town in January 2013; one of Liping’s townships |
| Liping name | renamed Liping under the Yuan in 1283; a Ming garrison town; called Liping prefecture in the Qing |
| Neighbors | Congjiang to the south, Sanjiang County of Guangxi to the southeast, Tongdao of Hunan to the east |
Liping and the Dong area
Liping County lies in southeast Guizhou. In the Tang it was part of Longbiao County, then called Wunaozhai, and the Yuan emperor Kublai Khan named it Liping in 1283. The Ming set up the Wukai garrison and the Qing made it the seat of Liping prefecture. Chinese Wikipedia calls the old prefecture the center of Dong culture. Local products include fir wood, pine resin, tea and tung oil. The county borders Sanjiang County of Guangxi, where Chengyang and its wind-and-rain bridge are; see our Chengyang page.
What to expect
Dong villages are known for wooden drum towers and covered wind-and-rain bridges. We have not verified how many drum towers Zhaoxing has or its population, so confirm details with your guide. Zhaoxing is remote and lightly visited compared with the larger Chinese sights, and facilities are basic, so book guest houses ahead. Allow one night. Zhaoxing links with Guilin, Longji and Chengyang, and the road between them takes several hours. See also our China tours.
Planning Zhaoxing with Absolute Asia Tours
Absolute Asia Tours has planned private trips in Asia since 1989. For Zhaoxing that means a driver for the long roads, a guide who can explain Dong customs, and a homestay booked in advance. We’re rated 4.8 out of 5 across about 900 traveler reviews. See our China tours or tell us your dates.
Sources (read in Chinese, Chinese Wikipedia): 黎平县, 三江侗族自治县. Last checked November 2026.
Zhaoxing: FAQ
Where is Zhaoxing?
In Liping County, southeast Guizhou, in the Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture.
Who lives in Liping County?
About 70% of residents are Dong.
When did Zhaoxing become a town?
In January 2013.
Can you combine Zhaoxing with Chengyang?
Yes. Both are Dong areas on the Guizhou-Guangxi border, with a road of several hours between them.
How many days do you need in Zhaoxing?
One night is usual.
Photo: Rutger van der Maar, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0. A drum tower in Zhaoxing.
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