Longji Rice Terraces

Fast Facts

Location: About 100 km north west of Guilin
Attraction Type: Rice fields, Landscape
Significance: A rice farming practice along hill slopes dating back 500 years
Best Time to Visit: April to October
Visiting hours: Day time
How to Reach: By bus from Guilin to Longsheng and thereafter by minibus to Ping'An
Nearest Airport: Guilin Liangjiang International Airport

Longji Rice Terraces in China is reminiscent of a farming technique developed during Ming Dynasty in the 15th century. Also called the Dragon's Backbone Rice Terraces, these rise from river valleys and move upwards along hill slopes. The rice terraces from about 350 m to 900 meters go upwards in the formation of a coil, thereby aptly been called the 'champion of terrace world.

Located at an approximate distance of 27 kilometers southwest of Longsheng County, these terraced Longji ricefields cover an area of about 66 square kilometers entirely along hill slopes. At each season these rice terraces render a different appearance. The farms glitter in the spring sun, changing to light green with paddy shoots in summer, then to a golden hue during autumn and lastly to a frosty appearance in the winters. Irrespective of the season, these Chinese Longji rice terraces coiling up the hill slopes are always attractive to the eyes.

Visiting Longji Rice Terrace

Begin your Longji Rice Terrace tour from Ping'An. A 90 minute circuitous route from thereon takes you to the most picturesque spots. All along this route not only would you be enthralled by the fascinating rice terraces, but also get a first hand experience of rural life. The simple lifestyle of these Chinese farmers and their traditional customs would amaze you. After returning to Ping'An from the terrace tour, proceed to Longji village. Another popular trekking destination is Dazhai inhabited by Yao minority tribe. A trek to Dazhai and back to Longji takes about six hours.

Accommodation and Dining at Longji

When planning a trip to Longji Rice terraces, you might put up in any of the guesthouses in Ping'Am village. Many of these guesthouses have rooms with private bathrooms, while in some you would be required to share bathrooms. These guest houses also provide meals. Amengjia Hotel is a good place to stay in Ping'Am.