Chengyang Eight Stockades Scenic Area is located in Linxi Town, Sanjiang Dong Autonomous County, Liuzhou City, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. It is a national 5A-level tourist scenic area. The Dong ethnic group lives in the scenic area, with unique ethnic customs. The total area of the scenic area is 12.55 square kilometers, consisting of eight Dong stockades: Ma'an Stockade, Ping Stockade, Yan Stockade, Dong Stockade, Da Stockade, Pingtang Stockade, Pingfu Stockade, and Jichang Stockade. These stockades are connected together, representing the culmination of Dong ethnic culture and Dong wooden architecture art in China. Well-preserved traditional Dong architecture can be found here, including more than 20 wind-rain bridges, over 10 drum towers, and rows upon rows of wooden stilt houses, forming a distinctive architectural landscape.
History and Culture
The history of Chengyang Eight Stockades can be traced back hundreds of years. The ancestors of the Dong ethnic group settled here and gradually formed the current eight stockades. During the long development process, the Dong people created splendid culture and unique architectural art.
Wind-rain bridges and drum towers are outstanding representatives of Dong architectural culture. The wind-rain bridge combines the functions of a bridge, a corridor, and a pavilion. Without using a single nail or rivet, it is connected entirely with mortise and tenon joints, showcasing exquisite craftsmanship. The drum tower is a symbol of the Dong stockade village, as well as a place for discussion, assembly, and entertainment. It has a unique shape and exquisite decoration.
The Dong ethnic group also has rich folk culture, such as the Duoye Festival and the Hundred Families Banquet. During the Duoye Festival, men, women, and children of the Dong ethnic group wear magnificent costumes, hold hands and form a circle, singing and dancing, creating a lively scene. The Hundred Families Banquet is the highest etiquette for the Dong people to entertain guests. All the villagers in the stockade take out their own delicious food and arrange a long banquet to entertain the guests together.
Main Attractions
Chengyang Yongji Bridge
Also known as Chengyang Wind-rain Bridge, it is one of the landmark buildings in Chengyang Eight Stockades. It was built in 1912 and took 12 years to complete. The bridge is 77.76 meters long, 3.75 meters wide, and 11.52 meters high, with five large stone piers. There are five tower-style bridge pavilions built on the bridge, and the eaves of the pavilions rise layer by layer, like spreading wings. The whole bridge is connected entirely with mortise and tenon joints without using a single nail or rivet. It has a stable structure and a beautiful shape, being a treasure of Dong architectural art and a national key cultural relic protection unit.
Ma'an Stockade
It is one of the more well-known stockades in Chengyang Eight Stockades. There are ancient Dong dwellings here, scattered in a well-arranged manner on the hillside. The drum tower in the stockade is the center for villagers to discuss matters and hold activities. In addition, there are traditional Dong handicraft workshops in Ma'an Stockade, where tourists can watch the demonstrations of traditional skills such as Dong women's weaving and embroidery.
Ping Stockade
It attracts tourists with its unique Dong ethnic customs and beautiful pastoral scenery. The wind-rain bridge in Ping Stockade spans across the river, adding a touch of quaint charm to the stockade. There is a spacious square in the stockade. During festivals, grand celebration activities such as Duoye performances and Lusheng playing will be held.
Yan Stockade
Yan Stockade retains a lot of the original style of the Dong ethnic group. The stockade is surrounded by green mountains, and the brook gurgles. The Dong architectural style here is unique, and the wooden houses blend perfectly with the natural environment. Tourists can experience the tranquil rural life of the Dong people here and feel the simplicity and kindness of the Dong people.
Delicacies
Sour Fish and Sour Meat
They are traditional delicacies of the Dong ethnic group. For sour fish, fresh carp is generally selected. After processing, it is pickled with seasonings such as glutinous rice and chili peppers and sealed in a wooden barrel for several months or even years. The pickled sour fish has a golden color, a sour and spicy taste, and a unique flavor. The production method of sour meat is similar. Pork or beef is selected for pickling, with a sour and refreshing taste and a strong aroma.
Oil Tea
It is an indispensable beverage in the daily life of the Dong people. It is made from raw materials such as tea leaves, ginger, and garlic. After stir-frying and pounding them, water is added and boiled, and then ingredients such as popped rice, peanuts, and glutinous rice cakes are added. The oil tea has a rich taste, and it has the effects of refreshing the mind, dispelling cold, and warming the stomach. It is also an important beverage for the Dong people to entertain guests.
Glutinous Rice
It is one of the staple foods of the Dong ethnic group. The glutinous rice of the Dong people is crystal clear in color, soft and glutinous in taste, and full of aroma. It can be paired with various dishes or eaten alone. During some special festivals, colorful glutinous rice will also be made. The glutinous rice is dyed into colors such as red, yellow, and black with the juice of natural plants, which is both beautiful and delicious.
Dong-style Pickled Fish
Different from sour fish, Dong-style pickled fish pays more attention to the pickling process and the combination of seasonings. Fresh fish is selected and pickled with salt, rice wine, spices, etc., and then dried in the sun or baked. The pickled fish can be eaten directly or used for stir-frying or cooking soup. It has a delicious taste and rich nutrition.
Tickets
The ticket price of Chengyang Eight Stockades Scenic Area is 60 yuan per person. Children under 1.2 meters in height, the elderly over 70 years old, active-duty military personnel, and the disabled can be exempted from tickets with valid certificates; the elderly between 60 and 69 years old, full-time students, etc. can enjoy a 50% discount with valid certificates.
Opening Hours
The opening hours of the scenic area are from 08:00 to 18:00. However, the opening hours of some attractions and performances in the scenic area may be adjusted according to the actual situation. Tourists can inquire about the latest information at the consultation office in the scenic area.
Tour Route
The following is a one-day tour route: After entering from the scenic area gate, first go to Chengyang Yongji Bridge to appreciate the architectural beauty of this famous wind-rain bridge and take photos. Then go to Ma'an Stockade to visit the Dong dwellings and handicraft workshops. After that, go to Ping Stockade and watch the Dong performances on the square to feel the charm of Dong culture. Have lunch in the stockade and taste the Dong delicacies. In the afternoon, go to Yan Stockade and stroll along the quiet rural paths to enjoy the pastoral scenery. Finally, return to the scenic area gate along the riverside walkway.
Transportation
- Public Transportation: You can first arrive in Liuzhou City, then take a bus from Liuzhou Bus Terminal to Sanjiang Dong Autonomous County. After arriving in Sanjiang, transfer to a minibus heading to Chengyang Eight Stockades in Linxi Town.
- Self-driving: Starting from Liuzhou City, go through Sanbei Expressway and Xiarong Expressway, exit at Linxi/Chengyang Eight Stockades, and then drive according to the signs to reach the scenic area. The whole journey is about 170 kilometers, and the driving time is about 2.5 hours.
Must-visit Attractions
- Chengyang Yongji Bridge: A national key cultural relic protection unit, an outstanding representative of Dong architectural art, 77.76 meters long, with exquisite craftsmanship and a beautiful shape.
- Ma'an Stockade: You can experience the production of traditional Dong handicrafts and admire the ancient Dong dwellings and drum tower.
- Ping Stockade: You can watch Dong performances, feel the festival atmosphere, and the wind-rain bridge and square have pleasant scenery.
Tour Suggestions
- Learn about the performance times in the scenic area in advance and arrange your itinerary reasonably to avoid missing the wonderful Dong song and dance performances.
- Wear comfortable shoes, as there are mostly stone slab roads and mountain roads in the scenic area, and the walking distance is relatively long.
- When tasting Dong delicacies, you can try different dishes to experience the unique Dong food culture.
- If you are interested, you can buy some Dong handicrafts as souvenirs, but pay attention to distinguishing the quality and price.
Precautions
- Respect the customs and religious beliefs of the Dong ethnic group, and do not touch the sacred places such as the shrines and drum towers in the stockade at will.
- When watching performances or participating in activities, abide by the on-site order and do not make loud noises.
- There are many mosquitoes in the scenic area, so bring mosquito repellent products.
- If you stay in the stockade, keep quiet and do not disturb the rest of other tourists and villagers.