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History of the Longji Rice Terraces

What to see ?
Now, the Dragon's Backbone Rice Terraces covers an area of 66 square kilometers and spans an altitude between 300 meters and 1100 meters (about 3608 feet). It is said, 'Where there is soil, there is a terrace', be it in the valley, with swift flowing river to the mountains summit with its swirling cloud cover, or from bordering verdant forest to the cliff walls. Even though the Dragon's Backbone Rice Terraces is large, it is made up of numerous patches no more than 1 mu (it is a traditional unit of area in China, currently call shimu) (about 0.16 acres). The smaller ones like snails while the bigger one like towers. The outline is very smooth with gradients between 26 degrees and 35 degrees.

Picturesque Sightseeing by season
The Dragon's Backbone Rice Terraces is a beautiful natural picture. The linked together rice terraces vary from season to season. In spring, the water is irrigated into the fields and they look like great chains or ribbons hung on the hillsides. When the onset of summer, green waves rush continuously down the mountainside from the heaven. The theme of autumn is the harvest, with the mountainside decorated with the gold of ripened millet. Coming into winter, the whole mountain will be covered with white snow, just like dragons playing with water.

Zhuang Ethnic Minority Culture
As well as its amazing scenery, Longji is also the area to visit to experience Chinas ethnic minorities' culture. The Zhuang and the Yao nationalities live here, though mainly it is the Zhuang people. The women dress in unique and colorful costumes, singing and dancing. Guests also can join in with them to enjoy the original Zhuang life and culture, and even stay with local families enjoying both the Longji tea and the Longji wine.

How to get there ?

a. take through bus at the parking area of the Guilin Railway Station.
Ticket Fare: around CNY 50 
Duration: 2.5 hours

Note: Better reserve the tickets from the hostels on the Dragon’s Backbone Rice Terraces, such as Mei Jing Lou (Beautiful Scenery Inn), Quan Jing Lou (Panoramic View Inn) and Jing Guan Lou Guesthouse. 

Mei Jing Lou: 86-773-7585678 
Quan Jing Lou: 86-773-7585688
Jing Guan Lou: 86-773-7585608

b. Take regular bus at Guilin Qintan Bus Station.
Ticket Fare: around CNY 16-18. 
Duration: more than 2 hours
Passengers can get off at the fork leading to the Dragon’s Backbone Rice Terraces and then take the tourism bus to Dazhai Yao Village Rice Terraces. The bus ticket fare is about CNY 7. 

c. Take through bus at Guilin Qintan Bus Station.
Ticket Fare: about CNY 27. 
Duration: 2 hours.
Arriving at at Longsheng Bus Station, passengers need to change the tourism bus to Dazhai Yao Village Rice Terraces. The ticket fare is CNY 9.

a. Take regular bus (Dazhai Yao Village – Longsheng Bus Station) and get off at Er Long (Double Dragon) Bridge. Then change a van to Ping’an parking lot and walk 20 minutes to Ping’an Zhuang Village.  
b. Walk from the fork between No.1 and No.2 viewing platforms on Dazhai Yao Village Rice Terraces to the Ping’an Zhuang Village. It takes 3 to 4 hours. 
Note: Better hire a local guide to do the trekking together with you. If not, take the slate path for the Ping’an Zhuang Village.

Travel Tips
Add: in Longsheng County, north of Guilin City,China
Entrance Fee:  CNY 80 covering Ping'an Zhuang Village and Dazhai Yao Village Rice Terraces
Opening hours:  08:00 - 18:00
Best time to visit: May, June, September and October, especially April 15 to 30, and August 15 to 31 on Chinese lunar calendar