Longji Rice Terraces
This 650-year-old agricultural landscape is only a small part of what is here, yet it is stunning enough to take your breath away.…
Longji Rice Terraces, Northern Guangxi · AI illustration for China Trip
Key facts
- Admission
- ¥80
- Time needed
- 1–2 days
- Getting there
- 1. Ping'an Village: Take a fast train from Guilin to Longsheng, then transfer to a bus from Longsheng to the Ping'an parking lot (平安停车场) at Longji. From there, walk about 20 minutes to Ping'an Village (平安寨). 2. Dazhai: Take a fast train from Guilin to Longsheng, then transfer to a bus to Dahushan (大虎山). From there, take a minibus or motorbike taxi to Dazhai. 3. Longji Village: Walk from the Qixing Banyue (七星伴月) viewpoint near Ping'an Village, or climb the terraces from the roadside at the Ping'an parking lot. Buses between Longsheng and Ping'an run every 90–120 minutes, with the last bus departing at 16:30.
- Guidebook rating
- 5 / 5
From China Self Guided Travel 2025, page 2451. Open in Google Maps
About Longji Rice Terraces
This 650-year-old agricultural landscape is only a small part of what is here, yet it is stunning enough to take your breath away. The ancestors who carved these terraces out of the mountains could never have imagined that their sweat and lives would produce such graceful, curving scenery. Spectacular views combined with a touch of local culture make for an unforgettable visit. Along the way you will meet Yao women and Zhuang men, who make wonderful subjects for photography. Working villagers and the terraces at sunset create scenes that are beautiful beyond imagination. Best of all, you can stay in a family guesthouse, enjoy farmhouse chicken while looking out over the terraces, and experience the rhythm of terrace farming for yourself.
To see the terraces at their most captivating, choose the right season. In April and May, the terraces are flooded and planted with rice, and the water glitters, making it the best time for photography and sightseeing. September is also worth considering, when the terraces turn golden with ripening grain.
Tips from the guidebook
- 1. “Longji Rice Terraces” is the umbrella name for a scenic area made up of several villages. The three most visited are Ping'an Village, Dazhai and Longji Village. Dazhai's terraces are the most vast and untouched, suiting adventurous travellers. Ping'an Village is the most popular and suits most visitors. Longji Village is also good, with an easier route than the other two.
- 2. Dazhai has three scenic spots: 1) Xishan Shaoyue (西山韶乐); 2) Dazhai Thousand-Layer Terraces; and 3) Jinfo Peak (金佛顶). Spot 3 is the highest, farthest and most beautiful, and is highly recommended. The traditional route goes from spot 2 to spot 1, where you spend a night, and then descends via spot 3 the next day.
- 3. For accommodation in Dazhai, consider the Panoramic Building (全景楼). Many travellers recommend it because it overlooks the terraces and is very close to spots 1 and 2. It offers a shuttle service to and from the bus station.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Longji Rice Terraces cost?
Admission to Longji Rice Terraces is ¥80, as listed in the 2025 guidebook. Prices can change; check the official channel before you go.
How do I get to Longji Rice Terraces?
1. Ping'an Village: Take a fast train from Guilin to Longsheng, then transfer to a bus from Longsheng to the Ping'an parking lot (平安停车场) at Longji. From there, walk about 20 minutes to Ping'an Village (平安寨). 2. Dazhai: Take a fast train from Guilin to Longsheng, then transfer to a bus to Dahushan (大虎山). From there, take a minibus or motorbike taxi to Dazhai. 3. Longji Village: Walk from the Qixing Banyue (七星伴月) viewpoint near Ping'an Village, or climb the terraces from the roadside at the Ping'an parking lot. Buses between Longsheng and Ping'an run every 90–120 minutes, with the last bus departing at 16:30.
How long should I spend at Longji Rice Terraces?
Plan on 1–2 days for Longji Rice Terraces.
Where is Longji Rice Terraces?
Longji Rice Terraces is in Northern Guangxi, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, in the South China of China.
More places in Northern Guangxi
Huangluo Yao Village
Listed in the Guinness World Records for the longest hair of a group, Huangluo is known as “the village with the longest hair in the world.” Red Yao women with very long hair gathering by the river to wash it look like a folk painting. Villagers in Huangluo Yao Village are all skilled singers and dancers, and are famously hospitable. Performances here include long-hair displays, the red stick dance and the umbrella dance.
Included in the Longji Rice Terraces ticket · 1–2 hours
Yinshui Dong Village
The Dong people who live here are skilled singers and dancers, and they have kept their distinctive customs and food traditions. Notable landmarks include the wooden houses built without nails, the wind and rain bridge at the village entrance, and the square, multi-eaved, pagoda-shaped drum tower with its flying-corner tiled roof.
¥50 · 1–2 hours
Chengyang Wind and Rain Bridge
The Wind and Rain Bridge, also called Yongji Bridge (永济桥) or Panlong Bridge (盘龙桥), stands 20 km north of Guyi Town (古宜镇) in Sanjiang County, Liuzhou. This wooden bridge spans the Linxi River and is solidly built. Completed in 1916, it is a nationally protected cultural relic. China Post has also issued a commemorative stamp featuring Chengyang Bridge.
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Dong Village and Mapang Drum Tower
Dong villages have a distinctive structure, usually nestled between mountains and water. Houses are built from Chinese fir, packed closely together, and in many villages the homes connect into one continuous block, so you can walk through the village without being exposed to sun or rain. Seen from a distance, the villages rise and fall in a spectacular cascade. Almost every Dong village has a drum tower, usually at its centre, where villagers gather to discuss community affairs. The drum tower at Mapang Village (马胖寨), 25 km north of Sanjiang County town, is the largest and most representative in the Dong region. Built in 1939 by a Dong craftsman, it is highly prized for its beauty and is a nationally protected cultural relic.
Chengyang Eight Villages
The Chengyang Eight Villages are Ma'an (马鞍寨), Ping, Yan, Dong (董寨), Dazhai, Pingtan (平坦寨), Pingpu (平埔寨) and Jichang (吉昌寨). Visitors can watch folk performances that showcase Dong culture, with plenty to see and do. It is an excellent destination for sightseeing, photography and experiencing Dong culture. Chengyang Bridge is a precious cultural relic and deserves a close look.
¥90 (includes sightseeing bus) · 0.5–2 days
Longtan National Forest Park
This national AAAA-rated scenic area offers classic karst landscapes as well as the culture of southern ethnic minorities. Twenty-four peaks of varied shapes, including Wohu Shan (Crouching Tiger Mountain), Meinü Feng (Beauty Peak) and Kongque Shan (Peacock Mountain), rise around one lake (Jinghu, or Mirror Lake), two pools (Longtan and Leitan) and four valleys, forming a breathtaking landscape scroll.
2–3 hours