Dong people and their drum tower

Cenbao drum tower in Congjiang county, southwest China's Guizhou province. (gz.people.cn/He Huiyu)

Located in Congjiang county, southwest China's Guizhou province, the Cenbao drum tower is a 13-story Dong ethnic architecture.

Drum towers are impressive pagoda-like wooden structures topped with a diamond-shape roof. The Dong drum towers are built without any nails. They all have a fire pit surrounded by benches where villagers gather. Therefore, drum towers are also the center of the village' social activity.

Dong people usually welcome guests with wine and food before they enter the village. If the guests come with gifts, the villagers will play Lusheng, a traditional Chinese instrument, to show their warm welcome. After that, the guests will be led to the drum tower, and dance and sing songs around the fire pit.