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Longji Rice Terraces
Longji Rice Terraces are located in Longsheng County, Guilin City, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China. With a history of over 2,300 years, they were initially built during the Qin Dynasty, took shape in the Tang Dynasty, and were completed in the Ming Dynasty.
The terraces span an elevation range of 300 to 1,100 meters, with a vertical drop of 800 meters. The slopes range from 26 to 35 degrees, reaching up to 50 degrees. The terraces wind from the mountain base to the summit, resembling flowing ribbons and forming stunning shapes like spirals and fans.
The Longji Terraces are divided into three main scenic areas:
Ping'an Zhuang Village Rice Terraces Scenic Area: One of the earliest developed areas, with terraces distributed between 300 and 1,100 meters in elevation, featuring slopes up to 50 degrees.
Jinkeng Rice Terraces Scenic Area: Surrounded by mountains, the terraces are beautifully arranged, creating a picturesque landscape.
Longji Ancient Zhuang Village Rice Terraces Scenic Area : Golden rice fields, misty mountains, and traditional villages blend harmoniously.
Key Photography Highlights include:
· Sunrise: Seven Stars with the Moon
· Sunset: Nine Dragons and Five Tigers
· Thousand-Layer Sky Ladder
· Sunrise: West Mountain Melody
· Sunset: Golden Buddha Summit
· Culture: Longji Zhuang Ethnic Eco-Museum
· Portrait: Dazhai Yao Minority Village
· Show: Huangluo Long Hair Yao Village
Highlights of Sunrise and Sunset Photography in Longji Terraced Fields, Guilin
- Highlights Sunrise: The golden sunlight shines on the terraced fields that are layered one after another in the early morning. The light and shadow crises - cross in the terraced fields and dyeing them a golden color, creating a spectacular scene.
· Sunrise: Seven Stars with the Moon
· Sunrise: West Mountain Melody
- Suggestions: Check the weather in advance and choose a sunny day to go. Stay in Hilltop, which is located in the middle of the No.1 and No.2 viewing platforms and it takes less than 10 mins to walk to either of the two platforms.
Shooting with tripod to fix the camera and choose different shooting angles and composition methods.
For example, you can take the distant mountains as the background to capture the sunrise light and shadow on the terraced fields. or Shoot silhouettes of people enjoying the sunrise in the terraced fields.
- Highlights Sunset: At dusk, the afterglow of the setting sun dyes the sky orange - red. The terraced fields present a unique light and shadow in backlight. The lines of the field ridges become clearer, and the whole picture is full of a sense of layering, looks like a rich - colored oil painting.
· Sunset: Nine Dragons and Five Tigers
· Sunset: West Mountain Melody
- Suggestions: The No.3 viewing platform - West Mountain Melody is the best place to shoot the sunset by front lights. Here, you can have a broad view and overlook the whole panorama of the terraced fields. When shooting, you can reduce the exposure compensation to highlight the color contrast between the sky and the terraced fields.
Telephoto lens to capture the details and light and shadow changes on the terraced fields.
Portrait: Dazhai Yao Minority Village
The Longji Terraces are not only about stunning natural landscapes but also rich cultural heritage. Live several ethnic groups, including the Zhuang and Yao. Their stilted houses (Diaojiaolou) are scattered among the terraces, blending seamlessly with the mountains.
Listen to the melodious folk songs of the Zhuang people, appreciate the graceful traditional dances of the Yao people, savor the sweet Longji Water Wine, and experience the unique charm of these minority cultures.
The Red Yao Culture of Longji Dazhai: The Soul of the Terraces
The Red Yao culture of Longji Dazhai is the most captivating spirit of these terraces. With their long hair, red clothing, and mountain songs, they turn life into poetry and tradition into a living landscape.
Long hair is the pride of Red Yao women. They cut their hair only once in their lives, never trimming it again after adulthood, allowing it to grow naturally, sometimes reaching over a meter in length. This long hair is not only a symbol of beauty but also represents wealth and good fortune. They care for their hair with natural ingredients like rice water and tea seed powder, so even in old age, it remains free of gray. The heavy silver earrings, though a burden, have long been a natural part of their daily lives.