Longsheng Town
Dragon's Backbone Rice Terraces |
Longsheng is located in northwest Guilin City with an administrative area of 2,538 square kilometers (about 980 square miles). Its enchanting natural beauties and unique folk cultures make that place a famous tourist attraction.
With its status as the most important tourist destination of Guilin, Longsheng is well-known for its Longji Rice Terraces, Longsheng Hot Spring National Park and Huaping National Nature Reserve.
Huaping National Nature Reserve, 60 kilometers (about 37 miles) from Guilin, occupies an area of 140 square kilometers (about 54 square miles). As the first natural reserve set up in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, it is established mainly to protect the living fossil, silver firs and the ecosystem of typical evergreen broadleaf forest.
Zhuang Ethnic Minority Village |
Huaping is worthy of the name 'kingdom of flowers' as flowers blossom all year round. In spring, cherry flowers, camellias, peach blossoms and azaleas vie with each other for glamour; whilst in summer, nandins, lilies and honeysuckles are in a riot of colors. On the other hand in autumn, wild chrysanthemums, sweet-scented acanthuses, oleanders and hydrangeas try to be the first to show off their beauties and in winter, plum blossoms, wild loquats and oil-tea camellias grow vigorously in the wind and frost.
As a paradise for living creatures, there are immense virgin forest, grand waterfalls, steep ridges and attractive dingles in Huaping. It is a must see for nature lovers.
Besides being inhabited by Dong, Miao, Yao, Zhuang and Han people, the area is also well-known for its local food and folk customs.
Residential House of Zhuang Minority |
Venison of the Miao, Youcha (gruel of sweetened fried flour) of Yao, watery wines of Zhuang and Suanyan of Dong each have their own unique features. The different diet styles together with the warmth of the people will make one's trip out of the ordinary. Various folk musics and dancings, as well as the village where natives have the longest hair in the world, all seem unbelievable. One needs to see it to believe it.
Baimian Yao Village and Yinshui Dong Village are the places one must not miss for that is where the lifestyle of the local people can be seen.
Transportation tips:
Catch a bus from Guilin to Longsheng County Bus Station. It is a 2-3 hours ride. Once in the county, there are convenient transportations to every scenic resort.