Sitting on the banks of the East Lake, Danzhai Tourism and Leisure Block in Guizhou Province serves as the focus for the local tourism industry.
A photo shows a panoramic view of Danzhai Tourism and Leisure Block in Danzhai County, Guizhou Province. /CFP
It's one of the largest tourist spots offering a range of modern facilities, including a big waterwheel, a 3,000-meter-long jogging track circling the lake, four squares themed around the culture of Miao and Dong ethnic groups, boutique inns, wine houses, rice shops, clubs, bars, cinemas, restaurants and so on.
Most of all, the block is a showcase for the rich intangible cultural heritage of Miao and Dong ethnic groups. The Miao people's folk dancing, skillful embroidery, batik handicrafts, traditional paper creations, intricate traditional costumes and other items of intangible cultural heritage can all be discovered there.
To help with this, many folk workshops have opened in the block. Among them, the batik workshop, the papermaking workshop and the birdcage creation workshop highlight the charms of the local culture. Visitors to the workshop can learn more about batik culture and its related techniques, and immerse themselves in the creative processes. At the workshop, tourists can experience the ancient craft of papermaking and buy related products. Danzhai is also known as the "hometown of Chinese birdcages," where its long history of making birdcages is showcased in the skills of the local artisans.
The passionate Miao and Dong people hold various activities featuring folk dancing and singing performances and other fascinating rituals to celebrate their annual festivals. Visitors are encouraged to join in and soak up the vibrant atmosphere, giving them an unforgettable experience to take with them on their travels.
Miao women show off their traditional folk dances in Danzhai County, Guizhou Province. /CFP
Opened in 2017, Danzhai Tourism and Leisure Block was listed as one of China's national-level tourism and leisure blocks in 2023 because of its blend of beautiful natural scenery, rich intangible cultural heritage and supporting tourism facilities.
