Rizières en terrasses de la Crête du Dragon

The Longji Rice Terraces are among the most spectacular agricultural landscapes in southern China, a vast system of terraced fields carved into the steep ridges of the mountains roughly two hours' drive north of Guilin. The terraces climb in narrowing bands up the slopes of the Longji range, their curves following the contours of the hills so that, when flooded at planting time or golden at harvest, the entire mountainside reads as a single, immense sculptural work shaped by many centuries of human labor. The name "Longji," or "Dragon's Backbone," reflects the way the ridgeline undulates like the spine of a reclining dragon.

The terraces are home to several ethnic minority villages of the Zhuang and Yao peoples, whose ancestors carved and have maintained the fields across generations. The principal settlements — among them Ping'an, Dazhai, the old Zhuang village, and the Huangluo Yao village — sit at different elevations along the terraces and are connected by stone paths that wind up through the fields themselves. Each village offers a distinct vantage point on the terraces: Ping'an is known for its accessible viewpoints and traditional wooden architecture, while Dazhai, further up the valley, gives a wilder, more expansive view of the larger terraced bowls. Visitors typically hike between the villages, sampling local country food and staying overnight in family-run guesthouses perched above the fields.

For foreign visitors, the Longji terraces are one of the signature excursions from Guilin and the single best way to encounter both the mountain landscape of Guangxi and the ethnic minority cultures of the region in a single trip. The visit is best planned as an overnight stay rather than a day trip, since the most dramatic light comes at sunrise and sunset, when the low sun rakes across the terraced slopes and turns the fields into a succession of reflecting pools or golden steps. Spring, when the fields are flooded but not yet planted, and autumn, just before the rice harvest, are the most visually celebrated seasons. Comfortable walking shoes and layered clothing are essential, since the weather on the ridges can change quickly and the hiking is sustained.