Chengyang Village
The crown jewel of Chengyang is the Wind and Rain Bridge. Built in 1912 and stretching for over 64 metres, this brick and timber bridge is designed with the traditional Chinese style that can be found throughout the ancient region.
Chengyang Wind & Rain Bridge (程阳风雨桥) often refers to the scenic area of the same name which mainly includes Chengyang Bridge itself and the minority villages in the area.
It is a peaceful and quiet place in Guangxi Province, China where anyone can take in the Dong minority culture and enjoy the green lush scenery.
The place is about a one hour drive (19km) from the town of Sanjiang (三江), which is reachable from Guilin either by bus or by train.
Nestled between the tea plantations on the hills along the Linxi River…
…the village possesses some of the most characteristic and well-preserved Dong architecture
The brick and timber bridgea are designed with the traditional Chinese style…
…that can be found throughout the ancient region.
Chengyang is home to about 10,000 Dong people
A river flows through the villages, and to either side are paddy fields. The slopes in this area are not as steep as Longji, for example, and a wander off the track will reveal all sorts of agriculture, such as aquaculture in ponds in between the valley sides, and small tea and timber plantations.
The area actually consists of eight villages spread around the area with each of them having their own impressive drum tower, opera stage and wind and rain bridge.
Each drum tower represents…
…the centre of the villages.
The towers are like social places and built with multi-level eaves (Interior of the Drum tower)
Hundreds of wooden houses…
…paddy tea fields..
…portray a typical Dong minority village.
The entire village is made…
…from wood planks
Tea Culture in Chengyang village
Chinese tea is grown around Chengyang, and it doesn’t get much better than relaxing in a quiet place while sipping on Chinese tea.
I guess it’s not a secret that China is well known for it’s teas.
Tea Ceremony，drinking and appreciating tea is a life style in China. The Chinese tea ceremony contains the wisdom of oriental philosophy and reflects the central idea of Taoism, Confucian and Buddhism it’s a combination of philosophy and life style where you are not only making, appreciating, smelling and enjoying the tea it but also it’s about making friendships.
Make sure you pop into one of the local shops for some tasting!
Tea leaves out in the sun for dry in Chengyang Village, Guangxi Province, China
Local working in the tea bushes in Chengyang Village, Guangxi Province
Dry tea for sale, Chengyang Village, Guangxi Province
Wind and Rain bridge at night
Local woman washing her hair in the river
How to get to Chengyang Village, Guangxi Province
First you need to travel to Sanjiang (三江) that is connected by train either from Guilin or Shenzhen / Guangdong.
Once you arrived to Sanjiang, change for the bus heading towards Linxi (林溪) and get off at the stop of Chengyang Wind & Rain Scenic Area ( 30 minutes - 1 USD)
Alternatively you can take a taxi, the place about a half an hour drive (19km) from the town of Sanjiang (三江).
Accommodation in Chengyang Village. I stayed at Dong Village Hotel, a wooden 4-story house by Linxi River, just standing by another Wind and Rain Bride north of the world famous Chengyang Wind & Rain Bridge.
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