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Longsheng Rice Terraces

Longsheng town (龙胜; Lóngshèng) and nearby Longji terraces (龙脊梯田; Lóngjǐtītián) are in Guangxi, near Guilin. The Longji terraces area is famous for the excessively large number of terraced rice paddy fields on its mountain, which have created an intricate pattern on the hillsides. Set amongst the villages of the minorities Zhuang and Yao, the area allows for easy to moderate walking/hiking possibilities along and up hillsides to view the panoramas of the terraced rice fields, as well as glimpse the rural life and style of architecture found in the forest-fringed villages.

Longji means 'Dragon Backed Mountain'. When the paddies are full of water in spring, it is said to resemble the scales on the back of a dragon. The fields are beautiful all year round, in the early stages when filled with water, and as the rice grows and matures, changing colours as it does so. Winter may also see snow. Rape flowers are also to be seen in some parts and in some seasons, and along the journey here, there is forest-cladded steep-sloped mountain scenery to be taken in.

The Longji terraces are composed of two seperate although closeby areas: the Ping'An terrace fields, and the JinKeng terrace fields, each with their own villages and hamlets within easy walking distance. Ping'An terrace fields are comprised of Ping'An village, and two smaller hamlets, and is a Zhuang minority inhabited area. JinKeng terrace fields comprise DaZhai village, as well as 5 smaller hamlets, including TianTou village higher up the mountain with attendant views. JinKeng is predominantly or completely Yao minority inhabited.

Arrive near the end of May, and witness the fields full of water as the first stage of growing rice begins. Dawns and dusks are heightened by the effect of the water-cloaked hillsides mirroring the suns rays.

[edit] Get in

It is about two hours drive to the north through twisty mountain roads from Guilin to Longsheng town. It is also possible to get to Longsheng on public transport from Guilin. From Longsheng, the Longji terraces are a further hour or so by local bus. Buses can take you straight to either one of the villages from Longsheng, enquire which village beforehand, if you have one in mind for late-arrival accomodation purposes. Once there, travel between the two villages is straighforward.

There are regular tours to Longsheng and the Longji terraces from Guilin or Yangshuo; this is one of the standard tours on offer in those places.

Longsheng is also on your route if going Overland Kunming to Hong Kong.

[edit] Get around

Visitors by car must park at the bottom of the hill, and take a minibus to either the upper car park/entrance of Ping'an Zhuang village, or the upper car park/entrance of DaZhai Yao village. Public transport will take you straight to the villages. You can also step off at Huanglou Yao village (also a bus terminal) and it is possible to hike in about an hour or so from there to Ping'An village. From the car and bus parks of both villages, you must ascend on foot. There are sedan chairs available for hire if you are not up to the climb. The path ascends rapidly through the paddy fields and houses. There are several view points along the way where you can rest and take photographs, as well as stone paths that lead to viewing platforms higher up.

At the villages entrances, local women gather to offer to carry your backpack or daypack in bamboo baskets attached to their back. There are, surprisingly enough, senior local women whose English is advanced enough to act as your tour guide. They may likely approach you once inside the village or whilst walking along the paths, or your can enquire at the entrance. It is feasible to ask for a map at the entrances to the villages (they are not automatically given), to orient yourself with the area, and to get some background details.

[edit][add listing] See

• The Rice Terraces. A short hike through Ping'An to the summit takes about 2 hours to complete, depending on fitness. JinKeng is slightly larger so may take more time. It is possible to hike between Ping'An and DaZhai (JinKeng) in about 3 hours, enquire about guides once at either of the villages. Longer hikes spanning more than one day are possible and will allow you to access more beautiful and less touristy areas of the mountain. ¥50, students ¥40.  edit

• Some very long hair. Longsheng is home to four minority nationalities: Miao, Yao, Dong and Zhuang. The Yao and Zhuang nationalities live in Longji. The Yao have distinctive clothing and hair styles which set them apart from other ethnic groups. Yao women are famous for having the longest hair in the world. They never cut their hair. Instead they wrap the hair in a bun on top of their head in a style resembling an Indian turban. Free to look, ¥10 for a photo.  edit

• Unique traditional style of houses. built largely from timber, the houses are typically rectangular and three stories high, though in Ping'An many are four stories and relatively large. Each ascending floor is a little larger than the lower. The shingles, windows and beams are typical of other Chinese building styles. In DaZhai, there are small dwellings that use the thick bark of trees as roof shingles.  edit

[edit][add listing] Do

• Longsheng Hot Spring. A naturally hot spring and spa. It is recommended that you visit in winter or spring.  edit

• Hiking. There is some fabulous hiking to be done around the rice terraces, though finding your way when outside the signposted areas can be tricky at times; a local guide can lead the way for a small fee.  edit

• • Around Ping'An. There is a well sign-posted walk around Ping'An that takes you through Ping'An town itself, and up to both viewpoints - Viewpoint 1 (called Nine Dragons and Five Tigers) and Viewpoint 2 (Seven Stars with Moon), both of which have spectacular views of the town and surrounding terraces. The route is well sign-posted (look for the stone-engraved maps about the place) with good paths; completing the full circuit takes about 1 - 1.5 hrs.  edit
  • Ping'An to Zhongliu and Dazhai, [1]. The walk from Ping'An to Zhongliu takes approx 2 hours, from where it is another 2 hours to Dhazi. To Zhongliu Start by heading out from Ping'An up the hill to Viewpoint 1, then continue over the back and along a dirt road. This will take you past a lake and through a lovely valley. (more instructions needed!)  edit

[edit][add listing] Buy

As with many tourist attractions in China, trinkets, clothing, and 'antiques' stalls abound. An array of the minority clothing, jewelry, artwork and linen is for sale at the villages.

[edit][add listing] Eat

Several of the houses in the village are new or recently rebuilt. There are many small restaurants in the village where you can rest, refresh and enjoy country style Chinese food. At the path side you will find some people cooking rice on an open fire. The rice is stuffed inside the hollow core of a bamboo along with some meats, vegetables and spices. The bamboo tube is sealed and placed on the fire to cook. This is a popular traditional meal for the local people.

[edit][add listing] Drink

[edit][add listing] Sleep

Although most tourists come here on a day trip, it is a very beautiful place worth staying for a night or two at either one of the villages (Ping'An is the more popular). There are hotels and lodging with panoramic views of the rice terraces. When the terraces contain water, sunrises and sunsets can be mesmerising, making an overnight stay essential.

Longsheng

• Riverside GH (Kai Kai), Longsheng, ☎ 15877000379. Very nice guesthouse owned by English teacher Mrs Lee  edit

Ping'An

• Longji One Hotel, ☎ 0773-7583597 / 015878362703, [2]. liaochunnuan@163.com. Newly built hotel (early 2009) with big windows and great views, very nice rooms and restaurant. Internet access (free wifi), air-conditioning. The owner, Mrs Spring (Liaochunnuan), is very helpful and speaks good English.  edit

• Li Qing Hotel, ☎ 0773-7583048 / 013878352092. liqing_gh@hotmail.com. Claims to be the first guesthouse in Ping'An. Adequate rooms with good views and air-con. Nice restaurant with good variety. Internet access with free wifi in rooms. ¥100.  edit

Dazhai

• JinTian Guest House, Tian Tou Village(up from Da Zhai) (Longji Terraces), ☎ 15877000383 Hannah, 0773 7585683, [3]. Good accommodation (aircon room) is there - speak English  edit

• JinKeng Vegetarian Hostel, Tian Tou Village(up from Da Zhai Yao village) (Longji terraces), ☎ 0773-7585655/13877353800 (v8hostel@yahoo.com), [4]. vegetarian food/internet/hostel - comfortable atmosphere with books, great food, coffee, and good views down the terraces  edit

[edit] Get out

• Guilin - This popular tourist city is only 2 hours away.
• Sanjiang - focal point of the Dong minority, visit nearby Chengyang to see the elaborate wind-and-rain bridge.