Guilin Trip: Longsheng Longji Terraces

The Longji Terraces–Jinkeng Dazhai Scenic Area in Longsheng is recognized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System. It is famous for its unique rice terrace system and rich cultural landscape. Dazhai Terraces has successively won the titles of Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System, National Wetland Park, National Agricultural Tourism Demonstration Site, and National 4A Tourist Attraction.
*Geographical Location:
The scenic area is located in the Jinkeng Terraces in the northern mountainous area of Longji Town, Longsheng Autonomous County, Guilin City, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.
*Village Composition:
It consists of five villages: Dazhai, Tiantouzhai, Zhuangjiezhai, Xinzhaizhai, and Xiaozhai.
*Historical Background:
Dazhai was originally named Baizhuping. It was relocated and built by the Pan family in 1523 during the Jiajing period of the Ming Dynasty. Because it has the largest population and scale among the villages in Jinkeng, it is named Dazhai.
*Formation History:
This is the crystallization of the wisdom and sweat of the ancient working people. Initially, the Zhuang, Yao and other ancestors who lived locally transformed the mountains into terraced fields suitable for rice growth by using simple tools such as hoes and plows according to the mountain shape and terrain. This reclamation method not only adapted to the mountainous terrain, but also used the three-dimensional climate of the mountains to form a unique irrigation system.
*Geographical Features:
The terrain of Longji Terraces ranges from 800m to 1,500m above sea level, with a large vertical drop, forming a distinct three-dimensional climate. The high-altitude areas are surrounded by clouds and fog, with abundant rainfall, providing high-quality mountain spring water for rice growth. The terraced fields are mainly distributed below the hillside, because these areas have a long frost-free period and sufficient sunshine, which are suitable for crop growth. Overlooking from the top of the mountain, the outline of the terraced fields is looming in the mist, and the sound of gurgling water is endless, as if you are in a Chinese ink painting.
*Featured Landscape:
①Thousand-layer Ladder. It is the No. 2 scenic platform in Jinkeng Terraces. The terraced fields are stacked on the undulating and steep ridges, layer upon layer, and you can also see small villages with more than a dozen households in them.
②Xishan Shaole. Located in Tiantouzhai, you can enjoy the magnificent picture composed of thousands of field ridges and earthen hills on the terraced fields. You can see Maoer Mountain in Xing'an and the highest peak in the Longsheng County Longji Scenic Area with an altitude of 1,918 meters - Fupingbao. You can also overlook the 40–50 square kilometers of terraced fields. It is the best viewing platform to watch the sunrise.
③Golden Buddha Top. It is the highest viewing platform in Jinkeng Dazhai Terraces and the only scenic spot in Longsheng Terraces that has a cable car. When viewed from the opposite mountain, it looks like a Maitreya Buddha with a big belly. Here you can see the "Eagle Spreading Wings", "Golden Thread Hanging Gourd" and the sunset landscape.
*Hong Yao Culture:
Dazhai is a gathering place for the Hong Yao ethnic group. Hong Yao women regard long hair as beauty. They have the custom of growing and dressing their hair, and have passed down hair care secrets from generation to generation.
*Travel Experience:
Longji Terraces is not only a rice field on which the locals depend for survival, but also a scenic spot and tourist destination integrating natural landscapes, pastoral landscapes and ethnic minority cultural landscapes. With the development of tourism, the infrastructure of the scenic spot has been continuously improved, and tourist facilities such as sightseeing cable cars and family inns have been built, providing tourists with a more convenient tour experience.