Dong ethnic singers await their turn in the contest. [Photo by Wu Dejun/chinadaily.com.cn]

A singing contest for a special kind of folk song of the Dong ethnic group was held in Luanli Romantic Garden in Congjiang county, Guizhou province, on Sunday. More than 600 singers in 30 teams participated in the contest.

The choirs sing a cappella — with no conductor and no accompaniment. The music style was listed as an intangible world cultural heritage by the United Nations in 2009.

A contest featuring Dong ethnic folk songs was held in Congjiang county, Guizhou province, on Sunday. [Photo by Wu Dejun/chinadaily.com.cn]

A team of Dong singers performs in Congjiang county, Guizhou province. 

A team of Dong singers performs in Congjiang county, Guizhou province. [Photo by Wu Dejun/chinadaily.com.cn]

A team of Dong singers performs in Congjiang county, Guizhou province. [Photo by Wu Dejun/chinadaily.com.cn]

A team of Dong singers performs in Congjiang county, Guizhou province. [Photo by Wu Dejun/chinadaily.com.cn]