Longsheng Rice Terraces with the Kruses

So the trip was long, but clearly worth it as you will see. We took an overnight train from Shenzhen to Guilin. We then took a car from Guiling about a three hour trip to Longsheng. Longsheng is a beautiful area with famous rice terraces and several minority groups.
http://www.travelchinaguide.com/attraction/guangxi/longsheng/dragon.htm

The ride was long and rainy.

The entrance -- at the bottom of the mountain.

We drove a bit further and then had to walk about 40 minutes up the mountain to the hotel.

The hotel was amazing -- expensive but wonderful in every way. Each room was decorated in a different theme with beautiful Chinese artwork and handicrafts in every corner. The atmosphere and beauty was a perfect accent to the scenery. If you need some decorating ideas, check out their site where they display each room. http://www.lianlodge.com/

A village path

Bamboo pipes worked as water drains

Once we settled into our hotel we headed out to see the beauty of the rice terraces. It was raining, but only lightly.

Looking out at the village below.

Looking out over the terraces.

The three Leonards

We met some minority women from the neighboring village.

They never cut their hair.

On a walk.

After a long walk we went out for a meal which included the local specialty -- chicken cooked over a fire inside bamboo.

The next day it was raining too hard to do more exploring so we headed down the mountain to make the long trip to Yangshuo.

Me and LJ before heading down.

Claudia carried Michaela on her back the whole way down.

Down narrow streets in the poring rain.

A very wet family -- I carried LJ in a front carrier which made traveling down the narrow, slippery steps very difficult.

On the way out we grabbed a cup of warm dou nai (bean milk) made from this old grinder.