Longji Rice Terraces (Dragon Bone Rice Terraces)
Situated 55 miles (87 km) northwest of Guilin, “Dragon Backbone” is home to a colorful mixture of Zhuang and Yao minorities. The terraced fields are built along the slope winding from the riverside up to the mountaintop, with the highest place of an altitude of 1180m and the lowest 380m. The coiling line spirals up from the mountain foot to the top, making the mountain looks like huge snail seen from afar. The 70-square-km irrigation project, Longji Rice Terraces, was built by the ethnic Zhuang in the Yuan dynasty (1271-1368), and completed by the Qing dynasty (1644-1911), showing the crystallization of the wisdom and diligence of the Zhuang and Yao people.
In addition to the agricultural economic value passed down from generation to generation, it has amazing ornamental value. The beauty of rice terraces takes on different looks with the change of seasons. In spring, the fields are filled with water, making the terraces look like silver ribbon hung around the hills. With the advent of summer, green blades of grass swing with the blowing breeze. To the harvest autumn, the terraces are decorated with gold of ripe millet. The whole mountain will be covered with white snow in winter, making it a fairy world. Hence, that’s why it is of imposing beauty which is reputed as "unrivalled in the world".
Furthermore, minority architectures like stilted bungalows, distinctive ethnic clothing, simple lifestyle and healthy farm food are highlights of Longji villages that you can hardly miss when you visit Longji Rice Terraces Scenic Area. Further uphill Zhuang and Yao people two-story cabins are nestled against the breathtaking man-made wonder. The layout of the village mimics the terraces field symmetry, giving an appearance that the houses are stacked on top of one another- an integrated part of the land. You can easily distinguish the two ethnic groups from the clothing, especially the long hair customs of the Red Yao women that you can explore.
Facts
- In Chinese: 龙脊梯田
- Location: Longji Rice Terraces Scenic Area, Heping Village, Longsheng County, Guilin
- Opening time: all day
- Best time to visit: the end of May - Oct
- Entrance fee:
RMB80 (for adults);
half price (for kids between 6 to 12 years old);
free (for kids under the age of 6 and the old over 70)
Constitution of Longji Rice Terraces
The outline of the terrace is flowing and unrestrained with magnificent scale. The scenic area includes three major sections based on village groups and the ownership of the fields.
Ping’an Zhuang Village & Rice Terraces
It’s the first place to be developed to the public; at present, it is well developed and has many excellent accommodation (comfortable hotels and international youth hostels) and catering services. There are two viewing platforms to show you the best perspective of here including Seven Stars around the Moon and Nine Dragons and Five Tigers. The terraces here are the most exquisite, looks like a long, winding, reptant dragon. Built in the hills according to local conditions, these terraces measures to the largest no more than 1 Mu (≈0.17 acre), the small ones can only transplant 2 or 3 arrows of rice seedlings.
Jinkeng Red Yao Rice Terraces/Dazhai Village Rice Terraces
The Red Yao Village and terraces are surrounded by mountains like a natural sinkhole. It has the highest elevation and the largest scale, and the mountains around it are covered with thick vegetation. This is the only place in the entire scenic area where you can take cable car to enjoy a panoramic view. There are 4 viewing platforms, including West Hill Music, Golden Buddha Peak, Large-scale Thousand-layer Terraces and Severn Stars Chasing the Moon. West Hill Music is the highest place, good to see the sunrise; the place of Large-scale Thousand-layer Terraces has a good view to enjoy the sunset.
Ancient Zhuang Village Terraces
The way of life in the village is more simple and primitive. The terraced fields are small and inconvenient to transport, so they were developed later and there are fewer tourists. Ancient buildings and traditional stilted houses are highlights of it. It's a good place for those who like to explore and hike.
How to Get to Dragon Bone Rice Terraces from Guilin?
Other than booking a vehicle, you can take a shuttle bus to the scenic spot.
Starting points are set at Guilin Hong Kong Hotel, Guilin West Rail Station and North Rail Station. You can take it to the gate of Dazhai Village Rice Terraces directly.
Or you can take a coach at Guilin Qintan Bus Station to Heping Road, and then change a special line to the scenic spot.
Travel Tips:
Try not to carry too much luggage to Longji Rice Terraces Scenic Area. If you're carrying a big suitcase, it’s not very easy to walk on the mountain roads, and there's a lot of climbing up to do. But you can pay the locals to carry your luggage.
More Attractions in Guilin
