Longji Rice Terraces

The Longji Rice Terraces are located in Longsheng County, Guilin, Guangxi, China, with layers upon layers resembling giant green steps. They not only serve practical agricultural production and living functions but also present a magnificent natural landscape, attracting many tourists to visit.

The Longji Rice Terraces area boasts rich species resources and magnificent scenery. It is not only a model of harmonious coexistence of various ethnic groups in China but also a model of soil and water conservation in the mountainous areas of southern China, and it has repeatedly appeared as a national symbol in prominent positions in major media around the world.

The Longji Rice Terraces are a large-scale terraced field group in the Guilin area, where several ancient minority villages are located, inhabited by the Zhuang and Yao ethnic groups. The famous villages are Ping'an Village, Jinkeng Dazhai, Ancient Zhuang Village, and Huangluo Yao Village. It is more convenient to drive to Longji Rice Terraces. The main activities are hiking, sightseeing, and photography. You can also taste local farm dishes, stay in a scenic B&B, and experience the ethnic customs.

Ping’an Zhuang Rice Terraces: A classic idyllic landscape painting When visiting Longji Rice Terraces, Ping’an Village is a classic destination. Tourism development here started earlier, and the facilities for eating, drinking, and playing are more complete. There are 170 households here, with a population of more than 700 people. It is a Zhuang village, mostly inhabited by the Liao surname Zhuang people. The terraced fields are mostly composed of small plots, with a quiet and beautiful scenery. When the crops mature in autumn, you can see a golden color. At this time, the autumn terraced fields are particularly beautiful. The scenic area’s observation decks include “Seven Stars Accompanying the Moon” and “Nine Dragons and Five Tigers,” but you need to use some imagination when visiting. “Seven Stars Accompanying the Moon” refers to the seven small hills left over from the opening of the fields, like seven small stars accompanying the moon-like terraced fields. “Nine Dragons and Five Tigers” refers to the nine small ridges that branch out from the main vein of Longji, and the five slightly raised small hills are like five tigers, surrounding the terraced fields and guarding this land.

Longji Ancient Zhuang Village Rice Terraces: Ancient and pristine beauty with a long history Longji Ancient Zhuang Village is one of the oldest ancient villages in the scenic area, dating back to the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty. Longji Ancient Zhuang Village has more than 200 households and more than 1,000 people. It is a Zhuang village, mostly inhabited by Zhuang people with the surnames Pan, Liao, and Hou. Due to the remote transportation and late development, the original terraced landscape is preserved here, and the traditional stilted wooden buildings distributed along the ridge are original and a unique landscape. When visiting, you can go up along the bluestone road to admire the stone bridges, stone tablets, stone carvings, etc. that tell the story of the past. After passing the “Ancestor Field,” reach the “Chang溝” (Long Canal) observation deck to overlook the beauty of the entire village. When going down the mountain, you can stand at the “游龙下江” (Swimming Dragon Down the River) viewpoint and watch the layers of terraced fields swirl down like a giant dragon until the Jinjiang River, which is very spectacular.

Jinkeng Red Yao Rice Terraces: Magnificent field curves In addition to the spectacular and atmospheric terraced fields, the long hair of the Red Yao girls is also a beautiful sight. Jinkeng Da Yao Village has 245 households with a population of more than 1,130 people. It is a Yao village, mostly inhabited by Yao people with the surname Pan. When visiting, you can choose to go up the mountain along the stone road, first go to the “Thousand Layers of Sky Ladder” observation deck to see the layers of terraced fields stacked like sky ladders to the clouds, which is very magnificent. Continuing upward, there is the “西山韶乐” (West Hill Shaole) observation deck, where you can overlook the panoramic view of the terraced fields, which is spectacular. If you want to go to the “金佛顶” (Golden Buddha Peak) observation deck to admire the magical view of the entire mountain sitting like a Maitreya Buddha, you need to take the cable car directly from the entrance of Jinkeng Dazhai at the foot of the mountain to reach it.

Travel route: One-day tour: Ping’an Zhuang Rice Terraces or Ancient Zhuang Village Rice Terraces or Jinkeng Dazhai + Huangluo Yao Village. If you only have one day to visit Longji Rice Terraces, it is recommended to go straight to a village to see the scenery and taste the local farmhouse delicacies after purchasing tickets for the scenic spot. Two-day/multi-day tour: Jinkeng Red Yao Rice Terraces - Ping’an Zhuang Rice Terraces - Longji Ancient Zhuang Village Rice Terraces. If you plan to stay for a few more days, you can visit in the direction from far to near Guilin city. Enjoy the terraced fields, explore ancient villages, and experience the ethnic customs.

Enjoy sunrise and sunset: Watching the sunrise over the terraced fields is a must-do for many tourists who come here, and even many photography enthusiasts come for the sunrise. There are three sunrise and sunset viewing spots in Jinkeng Red Yao Rice Terraces: “西山韶乐” (West Hill Shaole) is a viewing spot, which is far away, but the view is also more open. It is great for watching the sunrise and sunset. Many of the promotional videos of Longji Rice Terraces are filmed here; “千层天梯” (Thousand Layers of Sky Ladder) observation deck is closer to the foot of the mountain, where you can see the villages of the Yao people and feel the integration of humanity and nature, suitable for watching the sunset; “金佛顶” (Golden Buddha Peak) is the place to shoot the sunset. Because it is relatively far away, not many people used to take pictures here. In recent years, a cable car has been opened from the entrance of the Jinkeng Dazhai scenic area directly to the Golden Buddha Peak, making it much easier to take pictures here.

Vehicles with 9 seats or less can drive up the mountain, but only to the parking lots of each scenic area. Vehicles with more than 9 seats need to purchase in-scenic area transportation (at your own expense); vehicles cannot be driven up the mountain.

Warm reminder: The Longji Rice Terraces ticket is a general admission ticket. As long as you do not exit the scenic area gate, it is valid in all the villages.