1 . Imagine mountains enveloped in silver water, shining in the spring sun. Summer sees the mountains turn bright green with growing rice. During autumn, these mountains are gold, and in winter they are covered with white frost.     1    

These terraces (梯田) were built by the local Zhuang and Yao people. Starting in the Yuan Dynasty, work on the terraces took hundreds of years.     2     Reaching as far as the eye can see, these terraces cover tall mountains, often from the bottom to the very top.

    3     Firstly, there are few large flat areas of land in the region. Building the terraces could increase the areas to grow rice. Secondly, although the region has plenty of rain, the mountains are steep (陡峭) and the soil is shallow. The fat terraces help catch the rainwater and prevent the soil from being washed away.

But perhaps the most important is the way people have worked in peace with nature. The terraces are cleverly designed, with hundreds of waterways connecting with each other. During the rainy season, rainwater moves down the mountains and into the terraces along these waterways. The sun heats the water and turns it into vapour (水蒸气).     4     These terraces also provide a perfect environment for birds and fish, some of which feed on insects harmful to crops.

Although modern technology helps produce more crops, these terraces still mean a lot to the local people for whom traditions hold much value.     5     Thus, new generations continue to use ancient methods of agriculture to maintain the terraces. Today, the Longji Rice Terraces attract thousands of visitors to admire this great wonder created by people and nature working together.