China
2026.04.25 16:12 GMT+8

Baojing Dong village: Romance blooms at the March 3rd Song Festival

Updated 2026.04.25 16:12 GMT+8
Zhang Xiaohe

Nestled amid the mountains of southwest China's Guizhou Province, Baojing Dong Village bursts into full bloom during the annual March 3rd Song Festival. steeped in centuries-old Dong ethnic traditions, this time-honored festival shares the same profound cultural charm depicted in the film The Grand Song.

Baojing Dong village in Zhenyuan county, Guizhou province. /CGTN

Adorned with exquisite handcrafted embroidery and shining silver ornaments, local Dong ethnic women grace the festive occasion. Lusheng melodies linger in the mountain air, kicking off a full day of authentic ethnic rituals and lively folk performances.

Local Dong girls in gleaming silver ornaments. /CGTN

The iconic Scallion Courting Ritual stands as the soul of the grand celebration. Around the village’s iconic Scallion Washing Pond, the most romantic spot in Baojing, young Dong men express their sincere affection by asking for fresh green scallions from their crushes — a traditional and heartfelt way to declare lifelong love.

Dong girls wash scallions at the scallion-washing pond. /CGTN

Echoing across the green hills, melodious singing carries forward the timeless legacy of the Dong Grand Song. Locals and visitors gather together for a warm traditional long-table feast, tasting authentic Dong delicacies and fragrant homemade rice wine.

Locals and visitors gather together for a long-table feast, tasting Dong delicacies and homemade rice wine. /CGTN

As night descends, flickering torches illuminate the ancient village. Villagers and guests dance hand in hand around the roaring bonfire, presenting a vivid picture of ethnic harmony, cultural unity and inheritable folk traditions.

Villagers and guests dance hand in hand around the roaring bonfire. /CGTN

Just like the cultural spirit showcased in The Grand Song, Baojing’s March 3rd Song Festival faithfully preserves the Dong people’s ancient music, unique folk customs and ancestral rituals. It is a living, breathing intangible cultural heritage, passed down from generation to generation through songs, dances and well-protected time-honored traditions.

Copyright © 

RELATED STORIES