Weren’t the Jinkeng Rice Terraces in Dazhai formed by the hard work of the Yao people? These fields are more than just a pretty picture. They tell a story of survival. The Red Yao ancestors migrated here from Dongting in Hunan Province. They brought rice planting techniques. Dazhai Village felt isolated surrounded by mountains. To survive the Yao people dug terraces into the hills. They planted rice to feed their families. The earliest terraces were built over 700 years ago.
Dazhai is a village with a history dating back over 2300 years. It sits high in the mountains of northern Guangxi. The area has beautiful mountains streams and forests. The forest covers over 75 percent of the land. This is the home of the Longji Terraces. The terraces are a Globally Important Agricultural Cultural Heritage System.
Today in Dazhai you can experience the thousand-year-old farming culture. Watch traditional farming methods. You might see plowing harvesting or rice drying. The village works to improve tourism. They focus on culture and green practices. Enjoy Red Yao cultural activities. Stay in wooden buildings. See Red Yao embroidery dances. Don’t miss festivals like the Sun Clothes Festival. It is also called Clothes Drying Festival.
In Dazhai Jinkeng area there are three viewpoints for the sunrise. The first viewpoint is Xishan Shaoyue. It is the highest viewpoint. Many people photograph the sunrise and sunset there. The second viewpoint is the Large-scale Thousand-layer Terraces. From there enjoy the sunrise and Dazhai Yao Village. The Golden Buddha Peak is best for sunset photos. Take a cable car to the Golden Buddha Peak from Dazhai Village.
Dazhai cable cars run between Dazhai Village and the Golden Buddha Summit. The ride takes about 20 minutes. A one-way ticket costs CNY60. A round-trip ticket is CNY110.
When should you visit? April to October is best. During the spring ploughing season water fills the terraces. It creates thousands of water mirrors. In July and August green blankets cover the terraces. In September and October golden fields appear.
The Red Yao are the main residents of Dazhai Village. The women wear red clothes. They are known for their long hair. The Torch Festival is very important. It is second only to the Chinese New Year. During the festival families display their red clothes. The colorful clothes represent good fortune. In the evening enjoy a bonfire party with singing and dancing.
Remember the entrance fee for Jinkeng Terrace Fields is included in the Longji Rice Terraces ticket. The ticket costs CNY 80 per person. Once inside you can explore Dazhai Jinkeng and the other terraced fields.
As you leave Dazhai think about the hard work and dedication of the Yao people. Their efforts created this stunning landscape. The rice terraces reflect not only nature but also the spirit of its people.