The Drum Tower

Drum Tower is the symbolic architecture of the Dong Minority, which are commonly seen in all the villages in Guizhou. Drum tower, with a drum in the top floor, is always with the odd floors and built in the center of the village. Therefore, Drum Tower is the most lively place where the villagers hold the ceremonies, worship, public meeting and hang out together.

 

Drum Tower is a proud of the Dong People in the architecture development. The Drum Tower is designed as a pagoda style, with a broad square bottom base and a sharp roof. The structure of the drum tower is amazingly simple but sophisticated—there is not one single iron nails. Along the eaves, there are exquisite carvings of dragons, phoenixes, fishes, shrimps, which make the tower more splendid and gorgeous.

Since the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912), the Drum Tower is a symbol of good-luck for all the villagers. Zengchong Drum Tower in Congjiang County, built in the year 1672, is the largest and oldest drum tower in Guizhou and a major cultural relic under state protection. Covering 160 m2, this tower was designed as an octangle shape.

Drum Towers are standing here and there all over the villages in Guizhou, as the bamboos head out in the ground, from the top of which you can enjoy a different and amazing scene of the village.