Longji Rice terraces part2 Ping'an to Zhongliu to Dazhai

From Ping'an we continued our walk through the forest heading to the village of Zhongliu, they are part of the Yao minority. As we were leaving Ping'an area we met several of the Yao ladies on the path who are known for their very long hair. Known as the Red Yao women, they only cut their hair once in their lives, when they are 16 years old. Their hair measures anywhere between 5 to 6 foot long. The women believe that the long hair brings longevity, wealth and good fortune. For a small donation they will unwrap their hair and display it for you. One of the Yao woman accompany us on our 2 hour walk to Zhongliu. She has a home in the village and invited us to stop by for a drink. After visiting her home we said goodbye and walked another hour to a ridge overlooking another series of rice terraces. We stopped there for a rest and to eat our lunch. From there it was another hour till we reached the valley where our hotel was above the town of Dazhai.

ME and the Yao women

letting do there hair

click on to enlarge

wrapping there hair in a bun, takes only a few seconds

how the women wear their hair

approaching the village of Zhongliu

ME and guide on stone path to village

view of village

working in the fields

where the black dog is, is the house we visited for a rest

entrance

up a flight of stairs to one very large central room

a sparrows nest in the rafters of the main room

the large central room

storing potatoes 

another view of the large main room

storing cured meat off in the kitchen area

the kitchen area with blackened ceiling from the open fires 

another group of ladies we met while having lunch

another hour walk till we reached the village in the valley in the background