Travel to Tongdao Dong Autonomous County, Huaihua City, Hunan Province

Tongdao Dong Autonomous County, Huaihua City, Hunan Province — the sacred land of Chinese Dong culture, integrating Danxia landform, Dong culture and ancient village customs. It has characteristic scenic spots such as Wanfo Mountain, Huangdu Dong Cultural Village and Yutou Ancient Dong Village. You can enjoy the diverse customs of "Danxia wonders + Dong township charm + ancient village secrets" in one day.

2225
square kilometers of regional area
210,000+
permanent resident population
1
National Scenic Area (Wanfo Mountain)
78.3%
proportion of Dong ethnic population
Wanfo Mountain Landscape in Tongdao Dong Autonomous County
Wanfo Mountain Danxia Landform - Natural Wonder of Tongdao
Wanfo Mountain is an important part of China's Danxia landform, famous for its peculiar red sandstone peak forest landform. The peaks stand tall like ten thousand Buddhas paying homage to the Buddha, integrating magnificent natural scenery and profound Buddhist cultural heritage.

1-Day Secret Tour of Dong Township in Tongdao Dong Autonomous County

Exploring Danxia wonders, seeking seclusion in Dong villages, cultural experience

Trip Duration
1 Day
Main Destinations
Wanfo Mountain Scenic Area, Huangdu Dong Cultural Village, Yutou Ancient Dong Village, Hundred Li Dong Cultural Corridor, Tongdao Military Transfer Memorial Hall
Suitable Crowd
Ethnic culture lovers, natural scenery lovers, photography lovers, historical and cultural researchers
Per Capita Budget
¥80-¥180
1
Danxia Scenery and Dong Culture Tour
Wanfo Mountain · Huangdu Dong Village · Yutou Ancient Village
Itinerary Highlights

Visit Wanfo Mountain Scenic Area in the morning to admire Danxia wonders; explore Huangdu Dong Cultural Village and Yutou Ancient Dong Village in the afternoon to experience original ecological Dong ethnic customs; visit Hundred Li Dong Cultural Corridor and Tongdao Military Transfer Memorial Hall in the evening.

Attraction Arrangement
Wanfo Mountain Scenic Area
A national-level scenic area with a total area of 168 square kilometers, it is an important part of China's Danxia landform. The scenic area is characterized by towering peaks of various shapes, named after the ten thousand Buddhas paying homage to the Buddha. The main scenic spots include General Mountain, Seven Star Mountain, Purple Cloud Mountain, etc., with the highest peak at an altitude of 597.9 meters. There are also Buddhist cultural relics such as Wanfo Temple and Hanging Temple in the scenic area, which are a perfect combination of natural and cultural landscapes.
Huangdu Dong Cultural Village
One of China's first batch of national folk culture and art townships, it is a concentrated display area of Tongdao Dong culture. The village preserves a complete complex of Dong ethnic buildings, including drum towers, wind and rain bridges, stilted buildings, etc. You can enjoy original ecological Dong grand songs, lusheng dances, Dong opera and other performances, and experience folk activities such as Dong reunion banquets and bonfire parties.
Yutou Ancient Dong Village
A famous historical and cultural village in China, founded in the Hongwu period of the Ming Dynasty, with a history of more than 600 years. The village preserves ancient building complexes from the Ming and Qing dynasties, including drum towers, village gates, ancient wells, ancient post roads, etc. The architectural layout follows the mountain terrain, reflecting the wisdom of the Dong people in living in harmony with nature, and is a living fossil for studying Dong architectural culture.
Hundred Li Dong Cultural Corridor
Along the highway from Tongdao County to Huangdu Dong Cultural Village, there are dozens of Dong villages, forming a unique Dong cultural landscape belt. Along the way, you can admire various Dong drum towers, wind and rain bridges, stilted buildings, as well as the production and living scenes of the Dong people, which is a mobile museum to understand Dong culture.
Tongdao Military Transfer Memorial Hall
Built to commemorate the "Tongdao Conference" held by the Central Red Army during the Long March in 1934 in Tongdao. This conference realized a great turning point in the strategic transfer of the Red Army and laid the foundation for the convening of the Zunyi Conference. The museum displays a large number of precious historical relics, photos and documentary materials, and is a national patriotic education demonstration base.
Practical Information
Transportation Guide
  • Take the special Huaihua-Tongdao bus from Huaihua urban area to reach the county seat
  • Wanfo Mountain is about 20 kilometers from the county seat, need to transfer to local transportation
  • Each Dong village is scattered, it is recommended to charter a car for sightseeing
  • There are buses connecting major scenic spots in the county seat
Ticket Information
  • Wanfo Mountain Scenic Area: ¥80 per person (including sightseeing bus)
  • Huangdu Dong Cultural Village: ¥60 per person (including performances)
  • Yutou Ancient Dong Village: ¥30 per person
  • Hundred Li Dong Cultural Corridor: Free
  • Tongdao Military Transfer Memorial Hall: Free (registration required)
Food Recommendations
  • Dong Ethnic Salted Fish
  • Reunion Banquet (Helong Yan)
  • Oil Tea (Youcha)
  • Blood Rice Cake Duck (Xueba Ya)
  • Sour Meat (Suan Rou)

Must-Try Foods in Tongdao Dong Autonomous County

Dong Ethnic Salted Fish

A traditional special dish of the Dong people in Tongdao, made of fresh paddy field fish with glutinous rice, chili, ginger and other ingredients using traditional Dong fermentation techniques. The fish meat is sour and delicious with a unique flavor, which is a representative dish of Dong dietary culture with a history of hundreds of years.

Reunion Banquet (Helong Yan)

The highest etiquette for the Dong people to receive guests. Dozens of tables are connected into a long dragon, covered with various Dong special dishes. There are customs such as Dong toasting songs and rotating wine on the banquet, reflecting the Dong people's enthusiasm, hospitality, unity and mutual assistance, which is an excellent way to experience Dong dietary culture.

Oil Tea (Youcha)

A traditional drink of the Dong people in Tongdao, made from tea leaves, glutinous rice, peanuts, sesame and other raw materials through multiple processes such as stir-frying and boiling. It has a rich flavor and rich nutrition, with the effects of refreshing the mind, dispelling cold and warming the body, and is an indispensable drink in the daily life of the Dong people.

Travel Tips for Tongdao Dong Autonomous County
Best Travel Time
  • Spring (March-May): Blooming flowers, pleasant climate
  • Autumn (September-November): Cool weather, comfortable for mountain climbing and sightseeing
  • Lunar January: Dong New Year, rich folk activities
  • Avoid rainy season to prevent affecting outdoor itinerary
Must-Experience Items
  • Climb Wanfo Mountain to admire Danxia wonders
  • Enjoy Dong grand songs in Huangdu Dong Cultural Village
  • Explore traditional architecture in Yutou Ancient Dong Village
  • Self-driving sightseeing in Hundred Li Dong Cultural Corridor
  • Taste Dong Reunion Banquet and Salted Fish
Budget Reference
  • Tickets and transportation: ¥60-120 (including scenic spot tickets and transportation fees)
  • Catering: ¥50-90 per day
  • Shopping: ¥30-70 (Dong ethnic handicrafts, specialties, etc.)
  • Total: ¥80-180
Frequently Asked Questions
  • When can I enjoy Dong grand songs? → Fixed performances every day during holidays and peak tourist seasons
  • How long does it take to climb Wanfo Mountain? → About 3-4 hours round trip
  • Do I need to make a reservation for the Reunion Banquet? → It is recommended to book in advance, especially for group tourists
  • What is the accommodation condition in Tongdao? → There are hotels in the county seat and characteristic homestays in Dong villages