July 25, 2009 – Day 212 – Guilin, China

As if we didn’t have enough self-inflicted punishment on one tour yesterday, we took another one again today. This time our destination was to the Longji Rice Terraces.

Dog in the village

It started raining after the first hour on the bus and when we finally arrived in the first village, we had to buy an umbrella since we neglected to bring one along. Luckily they are very cheap (US$2.50) and very big.

Lindsey staying dry by a rice paddy

Travel Tip:

Everyone in China carries an umbrella regardless of the weather. Partly because the weather here changes with little forewarning as well as a way to block the sun, so you would be better off carrying a compact umbrella during your own foot travels. It could also double as sun screen, an impromptu showtunes prop or a frightening weapon should you be attacked by a swarm of merchants selling Chairman Mao watches.
Also, be mindful of your eyeballs as you wander the mad streets of China. Because everyone in China does carry an umbrella and are about a full foot shorter than your average Caucasian, you will likely get your eyes gouged with the pointy metal bits of umbrellas at fierce speeds at an inconsiderate frequency. So, either wear sturdy eye protective goggles or carry a very large open umbrella as if you afraid the sun’s rays will harm the seeds of your unborn children.

Before we were “turned loose” at noon, we had stopped 4 times at a couple of villages, a market, and once just to get out and get back on the bus! By noon, we had made it to the village built around the rice terraces and the whole giant group was sent into a particular restaurant to eat lunch. We wandered around the village before grabbing a drink at the restaurant to wait on the group/guide to see what was next. To our fortune and frustration, she informed us that we should hike to the top of the terraces ourselves and meet at the bottom in a couple hours. Now why couldn’t we know this earlier!? We would have already been up there and having a grand old time instead of muddling around the expensive restaurant everyone was at. Oh well. These things happen on tours. Next time, we’re just going to freestyle it and hope the bus is there when we come down the mountain, haha.

Pathway through the rice fields

A short hike up some stairs and through many shops and Chinese tourists and we had made our way to the top view of the terraces. The air was wet and thick, with a fat layer of fog rolling in and out of sight just the way the clouds hid Machu Picchu. We found the narrow side path that snakes through the terraces and followed the muddy trail away from the noise of the shops and other tour guides at the top. Once we were out of earshot, the terraces were very serene and quiet.

Feels like Machu Picchu

The surrounding vegetation was lush and green, plump with the copious rainwater of the season. There were a few bugs buzzing around us in the tropical greenery and even fewer other tourists to ruin the quiet. The trail was a beauty all of its own but the high views over the rice terraces was quite lovely.

Random grasshopper.... cause I can

There are plenty of other rice fields all over China that you will see on many train and bus rides but Longji is one of the largest and grandest looking of all because of its sheer size. Even with the irritating tour, it was well worth the trip. And it had even stopped raining by the time we were at the top!

The rice terraces

So you don't forget what we look like