11. Chinese Nationalities (Dong Minority) - Minorities by Descending Populations

Dong Minority

About 65% of Guizhou's population is Han and the rest is a mixture of minorities such as Miao, Buyi, Dong, Yi, Shui, Hui, Zhuang, Bai, and Gelo. In all, over 80 non-Han groups populate Guizhou Province. Between them, these minorities celebrate nearly 1,000 festivals each year, which preserve fascinating customs and elaborate skills in architecture, dress and handicrafts. The minority villages of Leishan, Tashi, Chejiang, Ronjiang, Maogong and Gaojin have Dong wind and rain bridges and drum towers. These villages are on the bus route from Kaili to Liping.

The Dong are found in Guizhou, Hunan and Gansu Provinces and also the Xizang Autonomous Region (Tibet). They also can be found in the Guangxi Autonomous Region. The Dong trace their origins back to about the third century BC. They speak a Thai language and have a close affinity with the Thais. Dong architecture features covered bridges and multi-story drum towers. They are part of the Sino-Tibetan Thai ethno linguistic group.