Objective  To investigate the somatotype characteristics of Dong adults in rural areas of Hu’nan province.    Methods  The Heath-Carter somatotyping method  was used to study the somatotype of 749 adults (304 males and 445 females) of Dong in the rural areas of Hu’nan.    Results  The mean somatotype in males of Dong was endomorph-mesomorph category (4.83-4.95-1.80) and was mesomorphic endomorph category (6.09-4.68-1.37) in females. With their age increasing, the values of endomorphy decreases gradually in males, the values of endomorphy of females and mesomorphy of males and females increased at first and then decreased gradually, the values of ectomorphy of males and females decreased at first and then increased. The values of endomorphy of males were significantly lower than those of females with the same age groups, and the values of mesomorphy and the values of ectomorphy of males were significantly higher than those of females in some age groups. Compared with other ethnic groups, the values of endomorphy of Dong were larger, the values of mesomorphy were smaller, and the values of ectomorphy were in a middle level.    Conclusion  Adults of Dong in Hu’nan have thick subcutaneous fat, underdeveloped skeletal and muscular systems, and medium linearity. The somatotype of Dong adults in Hu’nan is close to that of Jiangsu Han, Fujian Han and Liaoning Han.