The Longji Rice Terraces are situated in the Heping District of Longsheng County, approximately two hours away by car from Guilin, which has led to their alternative name, the Longsheng Rice Terraces.
They are perched at elevations ranging from 330 to 1,110 meters (1,000 to 3,700 feet). The tallest terraces reach 880 meters above sea level, while the lowest sit around 380 meters. The terraces’ stunning beauty draws countless photographers annually. The Longji Rice Terraces also serve as a habitat for various ethnic groups, with a plethora of Zhuang, Yao, and Dong villages peppered throughout. These communities have erected distinctive wooden dwellings and the local women often don traditional garb. These women favor wearing hand-embroidered headdresses and aprons featuring remarkable needlework. Zhuang women supplement their attire with elaborate handcrafted silver adornments like earrings, bracelets, and necklaces. Their dwellings are ancient, dark grey stilt houses, where the ground floor serves for storage or as livestock pens, and the upper floor, furnished with rooms and a fireplace, is designated for living quarters.