Tradition gives villagers a head start

Huangluo village near the Longji rice terraces in Guilin, South China's Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, is well known for the dramatically long hair of its female Yao ethnic group residents.

As it is believed that long hair brings prosperity, a long life and good fortune, the women maintain the tradition of keeping their hair long, and only cut it once in their lifetime when they are 18 years old.

Unmarried women tuck their hair into a headscarf, while married women favor a wrapped-up style with a large bun at the front.

Last year, more than 250 women from the village created the longest hair combing chain, setting a new Guinness World Record title to celebrate their beautiful culture.