One of the most unforgettable places I’ve ever visited is Longji—also known as the Dragon’s Backbone Rice Terraces—tucked high in the mountains of southern China. Getting there isn’t as simple as hopping off a bus or driving into town. You hike. At least a mile, sometimes more.
There are no cars in this remote village. Everything you see has either been carried up the mountain on the back of a donkey or by a strong man. But oh, is it worth the climb.
When you reach the top, you’re greeted with a view that will take your breath away. For over 650 years, the Zhuang and Yao people have carved these terraces into the steep hillsides by hand, creating a patchwork of green and gold that flows like a river down the mountain.
In spring, the terraces fill with water that reflects the sky like a mirror. In fall, they glow with the golden hues of ripening rice.
I found a stone engraved with red Chinese characters and stopped for a photo—partly to remember the moment, and partly just to catch my breath! All around me was peace. No motors. No noise. Just the sound of the wind in the trees, the occasional water buffalo plodding along, and the quiet rhythm of life as it has been lived here for centuries.
If you ever find yourself in China, make the journey to Longji. Lace up your shoes and take the walk. I promise, the view at the top—and the spirit of the people who live there—will stay with you forever.
