Longsheng

Deep in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, the Longsheng Rice Terraces rise like a stairway to heaven. These aren’t just any rice paddies. These are the Longji Rice Terraces, also known as the Dragon’s Backbone Rice Terraces. They cascade down the slopes, a testament to the ingenuity of the Zhuang and Yao people who began carving them out during the Yuan Dynasty. Imagine, centuries ago, the backbreaking labor, the careful planning, all to transform these steep mountainsides into fertile farmland. The Longsheng Rice Terraces stretch across 66 square kilometers, an undulating tapestry of green and gold. The terraces climb from 300 meters to 1,100 meters above sea level. Two main areas stand out: the Ping’an Zhuang Village Terraced Fields and the Jinkeng Terraced Fields. Ping’an offers a spectacle called “Seven Stars Accompany the Moon,” where seven small rock piles surround a moon-shaped terrace. Another formation, “Nine Dragons and Five Tigers,” depicts ridges flowing down to the Jinsha River, guarded by tiger-shaped rocks. Jinkeng, nestled within Dazhai Village, boasts three breathtaking viewpoints. West Hill Music, Large-scale Thousand-Layer Terraces, and Golden Buddha Summit. Each offers a unique perspective on this incredible landscape. As you explore the Longsheng Rice Terraces, notice the stilt houses of the Zhuang and Yao people. They are designed to keep out the moisture from the frequent rains. The women of the Yao minority are famous for their incredibly long hair, sometimes exceeding one meter. Their vibrantly colored clothes, adorned with intricate embroidery, add another layer of beauty to this already stunning scene. Whether you visit during the spring planting season, when the terraces shimmer like mirrors, or during the autumn harvest, when the rice glows gold, the Longsheng Rice Terraces will leave a lasting impression. This is a place where human ingenuity and natural beauty intertwine, a place where the spirit of the dragon’s backbone truly comes alive.