On the evening of August 2, on the Wanfo Bridge in the urban area of Tongdao Dong Autonomous County, a group of residents, following the rhythm of music, sang the county’s newly popular Dong song “I’ll Teach You to Speak Dong.” When asked why they sang with such enthusiasm, a lady surnamed Yang told the reporter, “With the charming nightscape accompanying the song, everyone is very excited.”
As the 5th Hunan Tourism Development Conference draws near, since July, the county has upgraded the lighting of main roads, squares, key streets, and landmark buildings in the urban area, creating multi-layered and modern nighttime landscapes. This expansion of illuminated areas aims to build a pleasing visual environment, endow the city with a new look, and present a distinctive, diverse, and dazzling “new city nightscape” that offers citizens and tourists a chance to enjoy the city’s beauty by day and its lights by night.
When night falls, as one strolls through the urban area, the night view unfolds beneath one’s feet. The interplay of lights and darkness sketches the contours of the Dong homeland, weaving a vibrant new scene. A breathtaking picture comes into view, where every light seems to tell a story of the Dong people, inviting all to immerse themselves in the enchanting night.
“Tongdao is truly beautiful. By day, you see the blue sky, clear water, and green mountains, and enjoy the ethnic customs; by night, the illuminated wind and rain bridge and drum tower create a poetic scene, making you feel like you are wandering through a painted Dong village,” said Ms. Yuan, a tourist from Foshan, Guangdong, as she took photos during her evening stroll on Binjiang Road.
The county’s night scenery is not only a series of beautiful vistas but also another highlight in the booming cultural tourism industry. With the 5th Hunan Tourism Development Conference about to open, the county is ready to greet guests from all directions with a specially crafted feast of light and shadow, showcasing the unique charm of Dong culture and writing a new chapter in culture and tourism development.
(Translated by Yang Hong)