A 'dragon's backbone'

The Longsheng or Longji rice terraces in Guangxi autonomous region in southern China are marvels of farming ingenuity. First crafted roughly 500 years ago, the carefully cut levels climb like stairs up the hills. In late spring, farmers flood the terraces and plant the new crop. The name 'Longji' means 'dragon's backbone' and refers to the scale-like appearance of the terraces when seen from a distance. The Longsheng rice terraces are not far from Guilin, a city with a rich cultural heritage and an incredibly beautiful setting among the astonishing karst hills clustered near the banks of the Li River.