What Makes These Terraces So Special?
When you think of Guilin, you probably think of rivers and karst peaks. But just a couple of hours drive from Guilin city, you’ll find one of the most spectacular man-made landscapes in China—the Longji Rice Terraces. These terraces cover the entire side of the mountain range from the bottom all the way to the top, and they’ve been farmed by local people for hundreds of years. It’s absolutely breathtaking to see in person.
The name “Longji” means “Dragon’s Backbone” in Chinese, and when you see it, you’ll understand why. The lines of the terraces follow the contours of the mountain, and from a distance they look like the scales on a dragon’s back stretching all the way up the mountain. It’s an incredible feat of engineering—local farmers built these entirely by hand hundreds of years ago, and they’re still being used today.
Depending on what time of year you go, you get completely different scenery. In the spring, the terraces are filled with water for planting, and they reflect the sky like thousands of mirrors. In the summer, they’re covered in bright green rice. In the autumn, the rice turns golden yellow, and the whole mountain looks like it’s covered in gold. It’s beautiful no matter when you go.
A Bit Of History
The Zhuang people have been building these terraces for over 600 years, starting back in the Yuan Dynasty. They started at the bottom of the mountain and slowly worked their way up, generation after generation. Every year, they would build a little bit more, until eventually the whole mountain was covered in terraces.
Even today, the terraces are still farmed the same way they were hundreds of years ago—mostly by hand, with water coming from natural streams running down the mountain. It’s a traditional way of life that’s been passed down through generations.
How To Get There
Longji is located about 100 kilometers north of Guilin city. It takes about 2.5-3 hours to get there from Guilin:
- By direct bus: There are direct buses from Guilin bus station to Longji that run several times a day. The fare is about 40-50 yuan per person.
- By car or taxi: This is the most comfortable option. A taxi from Guilin will cost you about 300-400 yuan round trip, and it’s faster than the bus.
- As part of a tour: Most hotels and travel agencies in Guilin sell day trips or overnight trips to Longji, which makes it really easy.
Once you get to the entrance of the scenic area, you have to take the shuttle bus up to the villages because the road is too narrow for regular cars. The shuttle is included in your entrance ticket.
What To See And Do
Photograph The Terraces From The Viewpoints
There are several famous viewpoints that give you panoramic views of the entire valley. The most famous is called “Nine Dragons and Five Tigers,” and it gives you that iconic view that you see in all the photos. Go for sunrise if you can—the light on the terraces is incredible.
Walk Down Through The Terraces
There are walking paths that go from the top of the mountain down through the terraces to the villages at the bottom. Walking through the terraces gives you a completely different perspective than just looking from the viewpoints. You can see how the rice is growing, meet local farmers, and get really close to the terraces.
Stay Overnight In A Local Village
I definitely recommend staying overnight if you can. There are guesthouses in the local villages that give you stunning views of the terraces. You get to see the sunrise and sunset without the crowds, and you get to experience what it’s like to live in the mountains.
Try Local Food
The local Zhuang people have their own delicious cuisine. You have to try the bamboo chicken cooked in bamboo tubes over an open fire, the local wild mushrooms, and the sticky rice. They also make their own rice wine that’s definitely worth trying.
Best Time To Visit
- April-May (before planting): The terraces are filled with water, and they reflect the sky and mountains. It’s incredibly beautiful for photography.
- September-October (before harvest): The rice is fully grown and turns golden yellow. The whole mountain is golden, which is also really spectacular.
- June-August: The rice is bright green, and the weather is good for hiking. It’s less crowded than the peak seasons in April and September.
- Winter: It can be cold, but there are almost no tourists, and you get the place pretty much to yourself. If it snows, it’s absolutely beautiful with the snow on the terraces.
Practical Information
- Entrance Fee: 80 yuan per person. The shuttle bus up the mountain is included.
- How Long To Spend: You can do it as a day trip from Guilin, but I recommend staying overnight to really experience it.
- What To Bring: Comfortable hiking shoes—you’ll be walking on uneven paths. Bring layers because it’s cooler in the mountains than in Guilin city.
- Accommodation: There are guesthouses for every budget in the villages. Many of them have rooms with balconies that look out over the terraces.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is it worth going even if it’s foggy? Fog can actually add to the beauty—you get the peaks and terraces popping in and out of the mist, which makes for really atmospheric photos.
- Is it okay to go if I can’t hike a lot? The viewpoints are accessible by shuttle bus, so you don’t have to hike far if you don’t want to. You can see the main views without doing a lot of walking.
- Which is better, Longji or other terraces in China? Longji is one of the most accessible and most spectacular. It’s definitely worth visiting if you’re in Guilin.
- Can you visit Longji and then go back to Guilin the same day? Yes, it’s possible, but it’s a long day. You have to leave early and come back late.
Final Thoughts
The Longji Rice Terraces are one of those places that you have to see to believe. It’s amazing to think that people built this entire thing by hand, generation after generation, just to grow rice. The result is one of the most beautiful man-made landscapes you’ll ever see. Whether you go for the photography, the hiking, or just to experience the traditional culture of the mountain villages, it’s absolutely worth the trip up from Guilin.
