Longji Terraces: A Cloudland Wonderland

Introduction to Longji Terraces Longji Terraces are located in Longji Town, Longsheng Various Nationalities Autonomous County, Guilin City, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. It is a AAAA-level scenic area integrating natural landscapes and ethnic minority cultural landscapes. In 2018, it was listed by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System. The terraces were first built during the Qin Dynasty and completed in the early Qing Dynasty, with a history of more than 2,300 years. The highest elevation is 1,180 meters, the lowest is 380 meters, the steepest slope reaches 50 degrees, and there are more than 1,100 levels in total, covering an area of 70.1 square kilometers. Famous for its magnificent scenery described as "a thousand-layer ladder reaching the clouds," it is known as the "Hometown of World Terraces" and a "Living Fossil of Ancient Farming Civilization." The scenic area centers on the rice terrace farming culture and is divided into three major viewing areas: the Ping’an Zhuang Terraces Viewing Area (the earliest developed, marked by the "Seven Stars Accompanying the Moon" landscape), the Jinkeng-Dazhai Red Yao Terraces Viewing Area (home to the Red Yao ethnic group, shaped like a natural sinkhole), and the Longji Ancient Zhuang Village Terraces Cultural Viewing Area (preserving the original Zhuang village style). Main attractions include Jiulong Wuhu (Nine Dragons and Five Tigers), Thousand-Layer Ladder, Xishan Shaole, Golden Buddha Peak, and Huangluo Yao Village. Each season offers unique scenery: spring’s flooded terraces reflect the sky like shattered mirrors, summer’s green waves roll, autumn’s rice ears turn golden, and winter is covered in silver, attracting countless photography enthusiasts and tourists. Additionally, Longji Terraces are rich in ethnic minority culture. Traditional festivals of the Zhuang and Yao peoples, such as the Lunar March 3rd "Plowing Festival" and "Long Hair Festival," as well as folk experiences like making five-colored glutinous rice and stilt house architecture, allow visitors to deeply experience the harmonious coexistence of humans and nature. Reasons to Visit World-class agricultural cultural heritage: With over 2,300 years of cultivation history, it witnesses the wisdom of southern China’s mountain rice farming civilization and serves as a living museum of farming culture. A visual feast in all seasons: Whether it’s the water reflections in spring, the greenery in summer, the golden waves in autumn, or the tranquility in winter, each season presents different layers of natural aesthetics. Especially in autumn (September to October), when the rice ears turn golden, the scene of "wind blowing the golden rice waves" is truly spectacular. Deep cultural experience: Participate in Zhuang plowing ceremonies, Red Yao long hair performances, stay in traditional stilt houses, taste ethnic delicacies like five-colored glutinous rice and bamboo tube rice, and immerse yourself in Zhuang and Yao culture. Photography paradise: After rain, the sea of clouds combined with sunrises and sunsets over the terraces creates a highly photogenic "God’s lost album." Viewing platforms like Golden Buddha Peak and Xishan Shaole are the best spots for photography. Model of ecological and cultural protection: Through water source forest conservation and inheritance of traditional farming methods, it achieves sustainable development under the concept of "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets," known as the "Longji Model." Practical Information Address: Longji Town, Longsheng Various Nationalities Autonomous County, Guilin City, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Opening Hours: Open all day Ticket Price: 100 RMB Recommended Visit Duration: 2-3 days (stay in local guesthouses within the scenic area to experience morning mist and dusk views) Transportation: About 80 kilometers from Guilin city center; self-driving or taking a bus from Guilin to Longsheng and then transferring to a direct shuttle to the scenic area is recommended Tips: The mountain climate is humid, bring rain gear; some sections are steep, wear comfortable sports shoes; spring and autumn are the best seasons to visit; holidays may have visitor limits, so avoid peak times. Longji Terraces are not only a perfect blend of nature and culture but also a millennium-spanning dialogue of farming civilization, ideal for travelers seeking in-depth experiences, photography, and cultural immersion.