12 Intriguing Photos of Chengyang: A Little-Known Village in China

By Mark Wiens 23 Comments

1. Chengyang Village

Photos of Chengyang
1. Chengyang Village, China

Chengyang is a little-known village.

Are you ready for this?

It is precisely located in the Dong People region, Sanjiang Area, in Liuzhou County, in the northern part of Guangxi Province, and finally in the country of the People’s Republic of China!

2. Chengyang Wind and Rain Bridge

Wind and Rain Bridge
2. Wind and Rain Bridge, Chengyang, China

Chengyang is especially famous for its “Wind and Rain Bridge.”

This prized bridge, which was finished being built in 1916, is not just a normal bridge. It is set up with pagodas and benches; The Wind and Rain Bridge is a place to socialize and a place for the community.

3. Quiet Village of Chengyang

Wind and Rain Bridge
3. Relaxing Town of Chengyang, China

The village of Chengyang is quiet, there are no cars within the center of the village and many things exist as they probably have for hundred and hundreds of years.

4. Wooden Homes

Wooden Village of Chengyang, China
4. Wooden Village of Chengyang, China

Another reason Chengyang is so famous is because the entire village is made from wood planks, making it feel like you’re walking through a giant antique!

5. Dong People Cultural Show

Dong People
5. Dong People Cultural Dance Show, Chengyang, China

To preserve their heritage (and cater to the rising amount of Chinese tourists), the local Dong people put on a cultural dance and music show everyday. The dancing, the costumes, and especially the local music was interesting to see/hear.

6. Drying Indigo Dyed Cloth

Drying Cloth in Chengyang, China
6. Drying Cloth in Chengyang, China

The women traditionally wear brightly colored indigo blue blouses. Here, the women are placing a huge length of freshly dyed cloth to dry in the sun on the side of the road.

7. Relaxing on a Bridge

Relaxing on a Bridge in Chengyang, China
7. Relaxing on a Bridge in Chengyang, China

Men in Chengyang have the right idea – spending much of the day relaxing and chit chatting on benches in the center of the bridges.

8. Playing Cards

Wind and Rain Bridge, Chengyang, China
8. Playing Cards on a Bridge in Chengyang, China

Other men choose to spend their time playing cards and gambling – another great way to spend a day in Chengyang!

9. 90 Year Old Smoking a Peace Pipe

90 Year Old Man from Chengyang, China
9. 90 Year Old Man from Chengyang, China

This man was chilling out in one of the newly renovated Drum Tower’s of Chengyang.

He didn’t say a word, just smiled and puffed away on his peace pipe. His friends told me that he was 90 years old, and he enjoyed sitting and smoking!

10. Drinking Games in Chengyang

Chinese Rice Wine, Chengyang
10. Drinking Rice Wine in Chengyang, China

And as many women were running businesses or attempting to sell little souvenirs to tourists, many of the men in Chengyang were content to relax or indulge in local style rice wine drinking games (in the middle of the day!).

11. Tea Sampling

Chinese Tea Ceremony
11. Chinese Tea Ceremony

I was particularly fond of the Chinese tea in the region. I was able to partake of a Chinese tea drinking ceremony and sample a bunch of different teas.

12. Chinese Fish Ceviche

Chinese food
12. Chengyang Ceviche

And of course, wherever one travels (especially true in Asia), there’s a new culinary specialty in every single village.

Chengyang’s very own ceviche is a combination of river fish slightly cooked with the acid of pickled cabbage, lime juice, ginger stems and lots of garlic. It was tasty!

23 comments. I'd love to hear from you!

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  • John Harmer

    2 years ago

    Thanks for introducing us to Chengyang,a little-known village for many of us who have already visited Chine. Will make it a point to visit this place next time and spend some time on the bridge.

    Reply

  • Jane

    10 years ago

    Hi Mark,

    May I know where is the spot (hiking trail) to reach and spot and be able to view the whole Chengyang Village as per your first picture in this post. It’s just beautiful and I am including Chengyang into my plan next month to China. Thanks.

    Jane

    Reply

    • Mark Wiens

      10 years ago

      Hello Jane, that photo was taken from the top of a small lookout hill located along the main road. Once you’re on the road you’ll see a sign for the hike up the hill, it’s very well maintained and there are sign that will point you in the right direction. Enjoy!

      Reply

  • Kesang

    11 years ago

    Hi Mark,

    the 3rd picture of chenyang… the landscape, the green, the houses… it looks like it was taken in Nepal.. i guess we share similar quintessential rural outlook… thank you for these lovely pix!

    Kesang

    Reply

    • Mark Wiens

      11 years ago

      Thank so much Kesang! Are you from Nepal? I would love to visit someday.

      Reply

  • jen laceda

    11 years ago

    wow! this is the kind of villages i’d love to visit when i finally make my way to the motherland! love that very first picture – just stunning, the view!

    by the way, mark, i am phasing out my folie a deux blog and i started a new one called Tartine and Apron Strings. it’s a family blog for food, travel, and all kinds of stories 🙂 hope you can visit me there, too! see yah!

    Reply

    • Mark Wiens

      11 years ago

      Hey Jen,
      Thanks for checking this article out. It was a really beautiful place, I really enjoyed my time there.
      Nice to see your new blog! I’ll add it to my links page right now.
      Hope you and your family are all doing well,
      Mark

      Reply

  • Eugene

    11 years ago

    Those pictures are awesome! Just sitting there listening to the quiet must have been amazing. Even if I was fluent in Mandarin I don’t think I could explain the concept of stress to those people.

    Reply

    • Mark Wiens

      11 years ago

      Thanks Eugene. Haha, that’s about right – the lifestyle there is so peaceful!

      Reply

  • Barbara

    11 years ago

    That is such a pretty village. Such a great discovery! Were there many tourists there?

    Reply

    • Mark Wiens

      11 years ago

      Thanks Barbara. There was a medium amount of tourists, not too many, but a few Chinese tourists. However, it did look like they will begin to promote the town soon to bring in lots more Chinese tourists in the future. Hopefully it still remains peaceful and beautiful.

      Reply

  • 50+ and on the Run

    11 years ago

    If that guy is 90, I should take up smoking! Great photos. Thanks!

    Reply

  • Dean

    11 years ago

    What an interesting little village. Just beautiful!

    Reply

  • sully86

    11 years ago

    mark: can u hear my stomach grumble of hunger at where you are at now?

    Reply

    • Mark Wiens

      11 years ago

      I think I can… are you a big fan of ceviche?

      Reply

  • 2summers

    11 years ago

    Stunning. Thank you for posting your photos nice and large — a rare treat in the blogging world!

    Reply

    • Mark Wiens

      11 years ago

      You’re welcome, I appreciate you checking it out!

      Reply

  • Jeremy Branham

    11 years ago

    Great photos Mark!

    Reply

  • Colleen

    11 years ago

    Outstanding. This increases my desire to visit China big time. Wow. = )

    Reply

    • Mark Wiens

      11 years ago

      Thanks for taking a look Colleen and glad that it increased your desire to visit China!

      Reply