Terraced Rice Fields: A Unique Tourist Destination

Published on September 12, 2024

The paddy fields located in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region were once solely used to produce rice for local consumption. Today, the Longji Rice Terraces have transformed into a unique tourism attraction. Originally discovered by backpackers in the 20th century, these staggered rice paddies coil along karst mountains, creating a breathtaking sight at high altitudes.

Due to the local community’s sustained efforts, the terraced fields have evolved into a world-class attraction over the past decade. Pan Baoyu, former Party secretary of Dazhai village in the Longsheng autonomous county, recalls that the terraces existed as far back as the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BC).

By the 1980s, farming incomes were so low that many young people left the village, leading to abandoned fields. Determined to protect the agricultural heritage, the village sought to develop tourism, ensuring the survival of the ancient rice farming traditions.

In 2008, Dazhai village established volunteer farming teams and partnered with a tourism company. The effort has paid off; in 2019, the Longji Rice Terraces attracted 1.5 million visitors, and in 2022, Dazhai was recognized by the World Tourism Organization as one of the year’s Best Tourism Villages.

At the village’s annual tourism dividend conference in early 2024, 282 households shared 7.25 million yuan ($1.02 million) in bonuses. China, the birthplace of rice culture, has a rich history in rice cultivation that dates back over 10,000 years, with the earliest evidence found in the Yuchanyan site in Hunan Province.

The village of Dazhai no longer grows traditional rice but has adopted late-maturing, high-quality hybrid rice to prolong the scenic beauty for tourists. Modern technology like drones is used to monitor rice growth, and young villagers who once left are returning to run businesses, such as bed-and-breakfasts and restaurants.

Dazhai village has even developed international ties, becoming a “sister village” with one in Laos, sharing farming knowledge and tourism strategies.