Longji Rice Terraces in Guilin: When Comics Come to Life

Longji Rice Terraces in Guilin are among the most beautiful terraced fields in China. Located in Longsheng Various Nationalities Autonomous County in Guilin, Guangxi, they attract numerous visitors with their spectacular terraced landscapes and unique ethnic minority cultures. Here is a detailed travel guide to help you better plan your trip. --- ### **I. Best Time to Visit** The Longji Rice Terraces offer different scenery throughout the year, but the following two periods are most recommended: 1. **Late May to June (Irrigation Period)**: After the terraces are filled with water, they reflect the sky like mirrors with changing light and shadows, perfect for photography. 2. **Late September to Mid-October (Harvest Season)**: When the rice ripens, the terraces turn golden yellow, resembling an oil painting. Other seasons: - **July-August**: Lush green rice fields, ideal for escaping the summer heat. - **December-January**: Occasional snow scenes, silver-white landscapes, but quite cold. --- ### **II. Main Terrace Areas** Longji Rice Terraces are divided into four main villages: 1. **Ping'an Zhuang Terraces** (Ping'an Village): - Main attractions: **Seven Stars with Moon**, **Nine Dragons and Five Tigers**. - Suitable for walking tours, with beautiful terrace lines, ideal for photography. 2. **Jinkeng Red Yao Terraces** (Dazhai Village): - Main viewing platforms: No.1 (Xishan Shaole), No.2 (Thousand-Layer Sky Ladder), No.3 (Golden Buddha Peak). - No.3 viewing platform can be reached by cable car (110 yuan round trip), suitable for visitors with limited physical strength. 3. **Longji Ancient Zhuang Village Terraces**: More primitive, fewer tourists. 4. **Xiaozhai Red Yao Terraces**: Less crowded, suitable for in-depth exploration. --- ### **III. Transportation Guide** 1. **Guilin → Longji Rice Terraces**: - **Direct shuttle**: Departs from Xiangjiang Hotel near Guilin Railway Station, 50 yuan, direct to Dazhai (Jinkeng Terraces). - **Regular bus**: Guilin Qintan Bus Station → Longsheng (22 yuan), then transfer to scenic area shuttle (8-10 yuan). 2. **Transportation within the scenic area**: - Vehicles with 7 or more seats need to transfer to scenic area shuttle buses (30 yuan round trip). - Some viewing platforms can be reached on foot or by electric cart (10 yuan/person). --- ### **IV. Accommodation Recommendations** - **Dazhai (Jinkeng Terraces)**: - **Quanjing Lou, Wanjing Lou, Jimei Lou**: Ideal for watching sunrise, excellent locations. - **Ping'an Village**: - Stilt house homestays, experience Zhuang culture, some with views of the terraces at night. - **Tip**: Book in advance, accommodations are limited during peak seasons (May Day, National Day holidays). --- ### **V. Travel Suggestions** 1. **One-day tour**: - Morning: Guilin → Dazhai (cable car up to Golden Buddha Peak). - Afternoon: Hike to Ping'an Village (about 5 hours) or return by vehicle. 2. **Two-day tour**: - **Day 1**: Guilin → Dazhai, stay in Dazhai, watch sunset. - **Day 2**: Wake up early for sunrise → hike to Ping'an Village → return to Guilin. 3. **Special experiences**: - **Bonfire party** (Jinkeng Yao Village). - **Bamboo tube rice, oil tea** and other Zhuang cuisine. --- ### **VI. Tickets and Discount Policies** - **Entrance fee**: 80 yuan/person (includes all 4 villages). - **Half-price discount** (40 yuan): - Students (undergraduate and below), children between 1.2-1.5 meters tall, seniors aged 60-64. - **Free admission**: - Children under 1.2 meters, seniors over 65 (10 yuan cleaning fee required), active military personnel, etc. --- ### **VII. Important Notes** 1. **Footwear**: Non-slip shoes recommended, as stone paths in the terraces can be slippery. 2. **Weather**: Mountain weather is changeable, bring rain gear and warm clothing. 3. **Respect customs**: Yao and Zhuang villages have unique customs, ask if there's a fee before taking photos. 4. **Porters/guides**: Local people offer paid services, agree on prices in advance. --- ### **VIII. Nearby Recommendations** - **Longsheng Hot Springs**: About 1.5 hours drive from the terraces, good for relaxation. - **Yangshuo Li River**: Can be combined with a Guilin-Longji-Yangshuo route. Hope this guide helps you better plan your trip to the Longji Rice Terraces! If you have more questions, feel free to ask anytime~