Name: Sanjiang Dong Autonomous County

Chinese name: 三江侗族自治县

Province: Guangxi

Status: Autonomous County

Population: 297,244 inhabitants

Area: 2,455 km²

Sanjiang Dong Autonomous County is an administrative district in Guangxi province. Sanjiang is a premier destination for travelers seeking to venture into deepest Chine and follow an off-the-beaten-path itinerary. The county is predominantly inhabited by the Dong minority who live in remote villages. Sanjiang makes for a perfect stopover before discovering Guizhou.

History

The remote landscapes and small villages of the Dong minority became Sanjiang district in 1952.

Today

Bordered to the north by Guizhou, to the northeast by Hunan and to the east by Longsheng, Sanjiang epitomizes deepest Chine. This small district makes for the perfect stopover for travelers wishing to explore Chine beyond the usual routes and discover the remote life of villages still largely untouched by tourism. Sanjiang encompasses around ten traditional Dong villages, each with a Drum Tower surrounded by charming wooden houses. The Mapang Drum Tower is among the most beautiful and impressive in the district. During your stay in Sanjiang, you'll encounter the Dong people proudly dressed in their traditional attire. Other, smaller minorities inhabit the region, including the Zhuang, Miao, Yao, Hui and Yi. Beyond its typical villages, Sanjiang boasts magnificent natural landscapes of hills, fields and rice terraces crossed by rivers. Should your itinerary pass through Sanjiang, don't miss the renowned Chengyang Wind and Rain Bridge. This superb wooden covered bridge, built by the Dong people, is considered the finest of the 108 bridges already standing in the district. The architecture of this bridge is a masterpiece that integrates perfectly into the surrounding landscape. Chengyang is also a beautiful village where you can sample local specialties made with sour sauce and witness some folk performances by locals.

Climate

Sanjiang experiences a monsoon climate influenced by northerly winds. The average annual temperature hovers around 20°C. July, the warmest month, records an average temperature of 27.4°C, while January, the coldest month, averages 7.1°C. The seasons are well-defined but all experience rainy days. Rainfall concentrates more in spring. Winters are harsh, springs cool and rainy, summers hot and humid, and autumns mild and sunny. The region can be visited year-round, but remember to pack rain gear and sunscreen. Stormy weather can quickly give way to intense sunshine.

Sanjiang can be reached by bus from Guilin, Longsheng and Wuzhou, as well as from Guangzhou or border towns in Guizhou.

Prefer walking to explore the villages and surroundings. Motorcycle taxis can take you to key sites.

What to do in Sanjiang?

• Cross the Wind and Rain Bridge.
• Meet the Dong minorities in the villages and attend folk performances.
• See the beautiful Mapang Drum Tower.