One-Day Longji Rice Terraces Exploration from Guilin

The villages of the Longji Rice Terraces were first established over 2,300 years ago by the Zhuang and Yao ethnic groups. Most these settlers came from the provinces of Shandong, Hunan, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang—regions that have been among China’s most developed since ancient times. Seeking refuge from war, they brought with them the most advanced rice cultivation techniques of their era. It was these skills that transformed Longji into the breathtaking rice terraces we see today.

Today, the Longji Rice Terraces are made up of three main areas: Ping’an Village, Dazhai Village, and Ancient Zhuang Village.

This full-day tour takes about eight hours, including the round-trip transfer between Guilin City and Longji. You can choose between two route options:

• Recommended Route – Visit Ping'an Village or Dazhai Village. In Ping'an, you can hike or take a battery car to the village; in Dazhai, you can ride a cable car for stunning views. This option allows plenty of time for photography and a relaxed pace.
• Tight Route – Visit Ping'an Village and Ancient Zhuang Village. Ideal for those who want to see more highlights in a single day, though time at each stop will be shorter.

Ping’an Village is home to 15,862 terraced fields, all meticulously cultivated and fertilized. With its breathtaking scenery and convenient access, it has become the most-visited area of the Longji Rice Terraces. Among its highlights, two observation points are absolute must-sees:

• Nine Dragons and Five Tigers – Formed by nine mountain ridges ("dragons") and five peaks ("tigers"), the landscape resembles these mighty creatures playfully intertwined.
• Seven Stars Surrounding the Moon – A striking scene where a single paddy field ("the Moon") is encircled by seven gentle hills ("the stars"), creating a picture of harmony and balance.

Dazhai is the largest village on the Longji Rice Terraces. There are three major observation points on in Dazhai. Tourists usually need to take a cable car to Golden Buddha Peak, the highest one among the three points. The other two are West Hill Music and Thousand-Layer Terraces.

Located near the entrance to Longji, the Ancient Zhuang Village is a small but culturally rich settlement. It is famous for its well-preserved wooden houses built by the Zhuang ethnic group. Thanks to its remote location, most of these structures survived past wars. The oldest house in the village dates back over 250 years.