Photo: Magnificent Longsheng Rice Terraces in China

By Mark Wiens 6 Comments
Longsheng Rice Terraces in China
Longsheng Rice Terraces in China

On a side trip from Yangshuo in China, I was able to visit the stunning Longsheng Rice Terraces. Hiking around the terraces provided incredible views of the mountainous terrain and the wondrous design of the terraces of rice. Unlike the compact amphitheater of the Batad rice terraces, Longsheng was more spread out over a larger area.

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  • Oshan Siriwardena

    12 years ago

    Hi Mark,

    This is great. I got to know about many places where I never knew form you. Thank you for what you are doing. Also I will share some places is Sri Lanka where you have similar places like Longsheng in China and Batad in Philippines.

    This is Knuckles Mountains in Sri Lanka.
    http://www.lakdasun.org/attractions/attraction-06-knuckles-south-deanston.htm

    • Mark Wiens

      12 years ago

      Glad you’ve enjoyed reading about some of these places and thanks for sharing about Knuckled Mountains. That looks beautiful!

  • Kwong

    12 years ago

    I’ve also visited the area and loved it. What I recall most was how remote the area felt. There were no roads so after leaving the parking area and hiking up to the village there were no sounds of any motors. Everything that was brought to the village was either carried by human or animals.

    Another vivid memory was the sounds at night. We visited when they were just beginning to plant the rice. The paddies were full of water and I guess this is frog heaven. I could not believe how loud they can be.

    One of the more surprising finds was that despite our hotel room having limited amenities, we did have high speed internet.

    I love your picture. But I think you could point your camera in any direction and you are likely to take a fascinating shot. In my opinion Longsheng is a photographers dream.

    • Mark Wiens

      12 years ago

      Thank you so much for sharing Kwong and great to hear you also enjoyed Longsheng. You’re totally right about the remote feeling, it was so refreshing to get away from the loud horns and motor vehicles. I also had my laptop and remember thinking how odd it was to feel like we were in the middle of nowhere, barely with electricity, but still with internet. I agree about the photos too, such a beautiful place that everywhere you look or take a photo is stunning!

  • Daniel McBane

    12 years ago

    I also went to the Longsheng terraces as a side trip from Guilin and I actually ended up spending a night there, since it was pouring rain and I was hoping the weather would ease up the next day. It didn’t, but it’s still a beautiful area, even in the rain. I would definitely recommend going there to anyone who finds themselves in Yangshuo or Guilin with an extra day or two to spare. Most people head up in the morning and return in the evening, but consider spending the night if you have the time. The atmosphere of the town once the crowds leave in the evening and before they get there in the morning is wonderful.

    • Mark Wiens

      12 years ago

      Thanks for sharing Daniel. I also stayed for a night at one of the lodges towards the top of the mountain. The sunrise view and just the peacefulness was incredible. Also despite there being quite a lot of day tourists, I hiked just a little ways off the main trail, where I had some solitude in the beauty. Too bad it rained when you were there, but glad you still enjoyed it!