Located
approximately 27 kilometers (about 16 miles) southeast of Longsheng
County, a vast region of rice terraces stretches layer upon layer,
coiling around from the base of Longji (the dragon's backbone)
Mountain to its summit. This is the most amazing terrace in China,
the Dragon's Backbone Rice Terraces. Construction of the terraces
began in the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), and continued until the
early Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) when construction was completed.
The Dragon's Backbone Rice Terraces are the culmination of both
the profound wisdom and strenuous labor of the Zhuang
people.
Now, the Dragon's Backbone Rice Terraces covers an area of 66
square kilometers (about 16308 acres) and spans an altitude between
300 meters (about 984 feet) 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.
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 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.