Monday – Day 10: Gaoding to Longsheng

This morning our route rises and falls for 10km bringing us to another monster 11km (500m) ascent. This is followed by a fantastic 9km descent before the road flattens out. Longsheng county is famed for Longji rice terraces (Longji Titian), known as ‘The Dragon’s Backbone’ by the locals, entire mountainsides have been transformed into rice fields creating a dramatic landscape like great chains, or ribbons extending from the foot to the top of the hills. This maximises use of the limited arable land and water resources in the mountainous area.
The Terraces were first started in the Yuan dynasty and finished in the Qing dynasty by the Zhuang people and look as if they were sculpted into the mountainside. The Longsheng Hot Springs, known as “a heaven of peace and happiness” and “paradise on earth,” are the centrepiece of the national park. Bubbling out from the rocks halfway up the mountain, the hot spring water is completely clear and contains many trace elements. The water is good for drinking and bathing and believed to have healing powers.

Accommodation: Guest House
Cycling distance: 104 km
Meals included: B, L, D
Morning profile-