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On the Trail of the Unique Dong Culture
Drum towers, a landmark of Dong villages, are ingeniously made of fine wood,
without nails or rivets. Built in the form of multi-storey pagodas supported by
fir tree pillars, they vary from three to 13 levels with a usual maximum height
of 20m. The eaves of the ground floor are four-cornered, while those of the
upper levels are hexagonal or octagonal. The front section between the first and
second tiers is carved with dragon
and phoenix patterns - symbols of village prosperity. In the highest part of
the towers hang huge hide drums - hollowed birch logs with ox hide stretched
over them.
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