The Longji Terraces(Dragon's Backbone Rice Terraces) are located in the southeast of Longsheng County. The Terraces were first built in the Yuan Dynasty about 700 years ago by the Zhuang people. There are numerous terraced fields, of which the terraced Fields in Longji are the best and most spectacular. It is 22.5 km from Longsheng County and 108 km. from Guilin. The terraced fields are built along the slope winding from the riverside up to the top of mountain, the highest part being 880 m in elevation while the lowest part 380 m in elevation. The terraces look like great chains and ribbons as they wind from the foot to the top of the hills. There are about 66 square kilometers terraced fields in southeast Longsheng.
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.
Except the famous known Ping an Zhuang Village, there is another unknown Jinkeng Rice Terrace, which is home to Yao Minority. Jinkeng Rice Terraces are located around 25 miles (40 km) away from Longsheng, where you will be rewarded feats of farm engineering going all the way up a string of 2400 feet (800 m) mountains. The 66-square-km network irrigation project was began by the ethnic Zhuang in the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), and finished by the Qing (1644-1911). March to November are the best time for visiting and taking photos.
The Longji 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 the terraces 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.
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.
Admission Fee: CNY 50