In Qingyuan's lush highlands, a centuries-old Yao village opens its vibrant traditions to visitors. Here, culture isn't just preserved - it's lived daily.  

Seven times a day, the thunderous long-drum dance - a national intangible cultural heritage - shakes the valley. Visitors don't just watch; they join in.  

"The sing-off was the highlight for me! I was too shy to sing at first, I held back, but the Yao performers were so infectious—before I knew it, I was belting out tunes with everyone else!"  

As dusk falls, the village comes alive with firelight. The torchlit procession winds from Panwang Temple through ancient stone lanes, building to a roaring bonfire celebration.  

"I'd planned a quick day trip, but the long-drum dance hooked me. When I heard about the sing-off, snail hunting, and torch parade, I ended up staying three days!"  

In this Yao village, every drumbeat, every song, every flickering torch invites you to become part of the story.