Shidong village sits where the Qingshui River widens enough for racing, about 15 kilometres from the county seat, and the annual dragon boat races here are among the most spectacular water events in Guizhou. The boats used are the traditional narrow Miao type — very different from the wider boats used in Han Chinese dragon boat festivals — and the races draw participants from villages up and down the river valley.
On non-festival days, Shidong is a quiet river village with wooden houses along the bank and a straightforward simplicity that makes it worth visiting on its own terms. The river here is clear and fast, with the karst hills of the valley reflected in the water, and the boat houses where the dragon boats are stored between festivals are visible from the main path.