|
 
|
Why the Long Ji
rice terraces are special
Long Ji is one of the world's most
beautiful rice terraces. It is also one of the world's largest rice terraces, measuring 66 square kilometers (26 square miles).
Interesting insights about
the Long Ji rice terraces
 The slopes are steep (30 degree average). Some have 50
degree inclines.
Most terraces are carved out of the
hillside, one directly above the other. Some terraces spiral upwards, forming one continuous path around a
hill, from its base to its top (this facilitates irrigation by allowing the water to flow down an unbroken track).
Long Ji tidbits
The term Long Ji translates as
Dragon's Back, the popular English name for the terraces.
The Long Ji rice terraces were begun in earnest during the
Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) and were virtually completed by 1700.
The highest Long Ji terraces are
1100 meters (3600 feet) above sea level.
Tips for your
vacation tour or trip
The time you go will affect what you
see. The paddies are lush green with growing rice stalks in the summer. After the fall harvest, paddies
are exposed bare soil (no greenery or water). They are later filled with water, forming reflecting pools. They
remain that way until the first rice shoots appear in the spring.
Explore some of the interesting ethnic
villages in the region around Long Ji, including those of the Shuang and Yao people.
Nearest major city
To reach the Long Ji terraces from Guilin (the major tourism city of the Guangxi autonomous region), you drive three hours
north to the regional city of Longsheng, then one hour southeast up a twisting mountain road to Long Ji.
Pronunciation guide
Long Ji: lah'ng gee
View my other gold,
silver & bronze medal
winners in China
 
My Chinese
phrase guide
for travelers
What every visitor should know.
View my Chinese
cuisine guide
|
