Longshen rice terraces in Guilin

The image I always had of China, as a child, was of paddy fields and terraces growing rice in the mountains. However, most of China isn't like that. Longshen, in Guilin, in the South of China is. This is one of the most spectacular areas of rice terracing in China. The area is now a national park and popular tourist destination.

Longshen is a county in Guilin prefecture of Guanxi, China. It is an area renouned for it's tradition rice cultivation using terraces built onto the hill side. The pattern of the rice terraces has made Longshen a popular tourist destination. The area is also home to several ethnic minorities of China who build the special wooden houses seen pictured above.

Lijiang River in Guilin, China

The Lijiang River runs through the centre of China's Guanxi province, in the south of the country. It is a favourite among tourists. A sight not to be missed on any travel ittinery of China. The scenery is so spectacular, it has even earned a place on the back of the 20 yuan banknote. Tourist boats ply the route between Guilin city and Yangshuo city. This journey takes about 4 hours. On the way, you will see sights like the one above.