Behold the Dragon Backbone Rice Terraces. Longsheng’s Longji Rice Terraces deserve their name. They are the “Home of World Terrace Fields”. These terraces originated at least 2300 years ago.
Today we are visiting the the first terrace in Guilin. But first, let me tell you how the Longji Rice Terraces got their unusual name. The word “longji” means dragon’s backbone. The terraced fields climbing up the mountain look like dragons’ scales. The summit of the mountain range resembles a dragon’s backbone. This gives you an idea as to the sheer scale of these rice terraces.
Most of them were built over 650 years ago. The Zhuang and Yao ethnic minorities built them. These terraces are still in use today. They stretch from the riverside right to the summit. The terraces range from between 300 meters to 800 meters above sea level. In some cases, they reach approximately 1100 meters. They cover a colossal area of 66 square kilometers. That is about three times the size of London Heathrow Airport.
The rice terraces were designed to make use of difficult land. Farmers were able to plough small surfaces by flattening the mountain. They used an ingenious irrigation system. This pumped water into the ploughed fields. That way rice could be grown there. This method is still widely used by farmers. The people of Ping’an Village, Longji Ancient Zhuang Village, and the Jinkeng cluster of Red Yao villages farm these terraces.
Every season at the the first terrace offers a unique and beautiful sight. In spring, the terraced fields are flooded with water. This prepares them for planting rice seedlings. The crystal clear pools glitter up the sides of the mountain. They reflect the flawless blue skies and wandering clouds.
In summer, the rice stalks have begun to grow. The mountains are awash with verdant greenery. The lush jade hues of the rice terraces trickle down the mountain. The warm sunlight amplifies this beauty.
In autumn, the rice stalks turn a golden brown. The mountains look like they have been plated with pure gold. This rivals the magnificence of Beijing’s Forbidden City.
In winter, the terraces recover. They are covered in a thin blanket of snow. These snowy ribbons running along the mountains resemble white dragons racing each other upstream.
The ethnic festivals and activities in Longsheng are a grand gathering. They attract many tourists. From March to April, the Longji Rapeseed Flower Festival occurs. Layers of rapeseed flowers turn the terraced fields into a golden ocean. It is like another Shangri-La.
From May to June, the Longji Spring Ploughing Ceremony occurs. Organizers hold a photography contest. They invite photographers and news media to shoot scenery. They capture the ploughing scene of the local people.
The Red Clothes Festival is on the 6th day of the sixth month of the Chinese lunar year. Red Yao women hang their beautiful clothes under the eaves. There are traditional song and dance performances in the village. At night, thousands of torches are lit. Beautiful fireworks shine over the terraced fields.
When you visit the the first terrace, you can experience the ethnic culture and customs.