If you have two days to spare while visiting Guilin, spending a night among the Longji Rice Terraces (龙脊梯田) is one of the best ways to experience the countryside of Guangxi.
Also known as the Dragon’s Backbone Rice Terraces, Longji is famous for layers of rice fields climbing dramatically up the mountainsides. Depending on the season, the terraces can look like giant mirrors reflecting the sky, endless waves of green, or golden ribbons covering the mountains.
While many travelers visit Longji as a day trip from Guilin, staying overnight gives you something a day tour cannot: the chance to slow down.
After most day-trippers leave, the villages become quieter. You can have dinner in a traditional mountain guesthouse, wake up among the terraces and, if the weather cooperates, watch sunrise and clouds drift through the valley.
This guide explains when to visit Longji Rice Terraces, how to get there from Guilin, which village to choose, where to stay, and how to plan a 2-day, 1-night Longji itinerary.
If you prefer door-to-door transportation instead of navigating buses with luggage, Guilin Drivers provides private car and driver services from Guilin to the Longji Rice Terraces.
Where Are the Longji Rice Terraces?
The Longji Rice Terraces are located in Longsheng County, north of Guilin.
The scenic area isn’t just one viewpoint. It contains several villages and different sections of rice terraces, with Ping’an Village, Jinkeng Dazhai and Ancient Zhuang Village among the best known.
This is important when arranging transportation.
Simply telling a driver that you are going to “Longji” isn’t always enough. Your ideal drop-off point depends on which village you are visiting and where your accommodation is located.
From central Guilin, allow roughly 2 to 2.5 hours by road, depending on traffic, weather and your destination within the Longji scenic area.
When Is the Best Time to Visit Longji Rice Terraces?
Longji changes dramatically throughout the year, so there isn’t one single “best” season. It depends on what you want to see.
Mid-April to Early June: Water-Filled Terraces
Spring is one of the most photogenic periods.
As the terraces are prepared for rice planting, many fields fill with water. On clear days, the water reflects the sky; when clouds and mist move through the mountains, the landscape can feel almost dreamlike.
The exact flooding and planting schedule varies each year according to agricultural conditions, so don’t expect every field to look identical to photographs you have seen online.
July and August: Green Rice Terraces
By summer, the mountains are covered in lush green rice fields.
This is a beautiful season if you love vibrant mountain scenery. Temperatures in the mountains can also feel more comfortable than in the city.
However, summer is part of the rainy season. Trails and stone steps can become slippery, so good walking shoes are essential.
Late September to Late October: Golden Rice Terraces
For many photographers, autumn is the most spectacular season.
As the rice ripens, the terraces turn from green to yellow and gold, producing the famous golden Longji landscape.
The exact harvest dates vary, so check current conditions if seeing golden rice fields is the main purpose of your trip.
China’s National Day holiday in early October is also an extremely busy travel period. Hotels and guesthouses can sell out well in advance, and roads can be congested.
If you plan to visit during this period, book your accommodation and transportation early.
Longji Rice Terraces Tickets
The Longji scenic area normally uses a main entrance ticket covering several major terrace areas, including Jinkeng Dazhai, Ping’an and Ancient Zhuang Village.
Ticket prices, validity periods, shuttle fees and concession policies can change, so check the current official information before traveling rather than relying on an old online price.
Some transportation inside the scenic area is charged separately.
Depending on your itinerary, you may also need to use scenic-area shuttle transportation or purchase a cable-car ticket.
A useful distinction for international visitors is that hiring a Guilin private driver primarily solves the transportation to and from Longji. Access within individual scenic areas is subject to local traffic and scenic-area regulations.
Your driver will normally take you to the appropriate permitted drop-off or parking area, after which you continue according to the scenic area’s current transportation arrangements.
How to Get from Guilin to Longji Rice Terraces
There are several ways to travel from Guilin to Longji.
Option 1: Guilin to Longji Private Car and Driver
For families, groups and travelers staying overnight, a private transfer from Guilin to Longji Rice Terraces is usually the most straightforward option.
Your driver picks you up directly from your Guilin hotel at an agreed time and drives you to the appropriate Longji entrance or transfer point.
There is no need to travel to a bus station first or carry your luggage between multiple vehicles.
This option is particularly useful if you are:
- Traveling with children or elderly family members
- Carrying large suitcases
- Staying overnight at Longji
- Traveling as a family or small group
- Arriving from Guilin Airport or a railway station
- Continuing to Yangshuo after visiting Longji
- Trying to visit more than one destination in a limited amount of time
With a private driver in Guilin, you can also arrange a customized route rather than automatically returning to your original starting point.
For example:
Guilin → Longji Rice Terraces → Yangshuo
can be much more convenient than returning to Guilin and then starting another journey south toward Yangshuo.
Option 2: Shuttle or Tourist Bus
Budget-conscious independent travelers can also use tourist buses or shuttle services between Guilin and parts of the Longji scenic area.
This can be economical for one or two travelers with light luggage.
However, departure locations, schedules and final stops can change. Check the latest timetable before your trip and make sure the bus serves the particular Longji village you intend to visit.
Which Longji Village Should You Choose?
This is probably the most important decision when planning your Longji trip.
The three areas offer quite different experiences.
1. Jinkeng Dazhai: Best for Big Views and Sunrise
Jinkeng Dazhai (金坑大寨) is associated with the local Red Yao community and offers some of Longji’s most expansive mountain scenery.
Popular viewpoints include:
West Hill Music (西山韶乐) – popular for sunrise views.
Thousand-Layer Terraces (千层天梯) – a dramatic area of densely layered rice terraces.
Golden Buddha Peak (金佛顶) – one of the best-known panoramic viewpoints and accessible by cable car.
Jinkeng is a good choice if spectacular terrace scenery is your priority and you want to spend a night in the mountains.
Staying in one of the hillside villages can also give you wonderful views directly from your guesthouse.
2. Ping’an Village: Best for Families and First-Time Visitors
Ping’an Village (平安寨) has well-developed visitor facilities and is a good introduction to Longji.
Its two famous viewpoints are:
Seven Stars with Moon (七星伴月)
and
Nine Dragons and Five Tigers (九龙五虎).
Ping’an works particularly well for families, first-time visitors and travelers who want impressive terrace views without committing to the most strenuous hiking routes.
It is also a good option for a Longji Rice Terraces day trip from Guilin if you don’t have time to stay overnight.
3. Ancient Zhuang Village: Best for a Quieter Experience
Ancient Zhuang Village (古壮寨) receives fewer visitors than the most famous sections of Longji.
It is worth considering if your priority is village atmosphere, walking and a quieter rural experience rather than checking off the most famous viewpoints.
Tourism infrastructure is more limited, so it tends to appeal more to travelers who value tranquility over convenience.
Recommended Longji Rice Terraces 2-Day Itinerary
If this is your first visit, two days and one night gives you enough time to experience the terraces without turning the trip into a race.
Day 1: Guilin → Longji → Ping’an Village
Arrange an early pickup from your hotel in Guilin.
With a Guilin to Longji private driver, you can leave directly from your accommodation instead of first traveling to a bus departure point.
After arriving at the Longji scenic area, purchase or verify your admission and continue to Ping’an according to the current scenic-area transportation arrangements.
Spend the afternoon exploring Ping’an Village.
Walk through the traditional village and rice fields and visit the Nine Dragons and Five Tigers and Seven Stars with Moon viewpoints.
Don’t rush.
One of the pleasures of Longji is simply walking slowly through the terraces and watching the landscape change as clouds and sunlight move across the mountains.
In the evening, stay in a traditional-style hillside guesthouse and enjoy local dishes.
Overnight: Longji Rice Terraces
Day 2: Sunrise → Jinkeng Dazhai → Guilin
Wake early for sunrise if the weather is favorable.
After breakfast, continue toward Jinkeng Dazhai.
Depending on your route and the current local transportation arrangements, make your way toward Golden Buddha Peak. Travelers who don’t want a strenuous climb can consider using the cable car.
From the top, you’ll get a broad panorama across the Jinkeng terraces.
You can then explore additional viewpoints such as the Thousand-Layer Terraces before having lunch and beginning your return journey.
Your private driver can meet you at the agreed pickup location for the drive back to Guilin.
Alternatively, if Yangshuo is your next destination, arrange a Longji to Yangshuo private transfer instead of unnecessarily returning to Guilin.
This is one of the advantages of having private transportation: your route can follow your actual China itinerary.
Where Should You Stay at Longji?
If sunrise, clouds and terrace views are your priority, consider staying around Tiantouzhai in the Jinkeng area.
A well-positioned hillside guesthouse can give you terrace views directly from your room or balcony.
But remember that “great view” often means “higher up the mountain.”
That can involve walking uphill and carrying luggage over steps.
Before booking a hotel, check:
How far is it from the nearest vehicle-accessible point?
Does the hotel provide luggage assistance?
How many stairs are involved?
Can elderly travelers or young children manage the walk?
This matters far more at Longji than it does when choosing an ordinary city hotel.
During the golden-rice season and Chinese public holidays, book accommodation well in advance.
What to Eat at Longji Rice Terraces
Longji is also a good place to try traditional mountain food.
Popular local dishes include:
Bamboo Rice (竹筒饭) – sticky rice cooked inside bamboo.
Bamboo Chicken (竹筒鸡) – chicken prepared with bamboo, a local mountain specialty.
Free-Range Chicken – commonly served at village restaurants and guesthouses.
Local Cured Meat (腊味) – preserved meats with a distinctive smoky and savory flavor.
Wild Vegetable Cakes (野菜粑粑) – a rustic local snack.
Sweet Glutinous Rice Wine (糯米甜酒) – a traditional sweet fermented rice drink.
Many mountain guesthouses serve simple home-style meals, which can become one of the most enjoyable parts of an overnight stay.
What Should You Pack for Longji?
Comfortable shoes are essential.
Longji involves stone paths, slopes and plenty of steps. After rain, surfaces can become slippery.
Pack light if possible, particularly if your guesthouse requires an uphill walk from the nearest drop-off point.
A small daypack with water, sunscreen, rain protection and a light layer is useful.
Weather in the mountains can change quickly, and conditions may be noticeably different from Guilin city.
Is One Day or Two Days Better for Longji?
A Longji day trip from Guilin is absolutely possible and works well for travelers with limited time.
If you only have one day, focus on one main area rather than trying to visit every village.
But if your itinerary allows it, we prefer 2 days and 1 night.
Staying overnight lets you experience Longji after the daytime crowds thin out, enjoy the evening atmosphere and have a chance to see sunrise the following morning.
It also turns Longji from a sightseeing stop into a genuine mountain experience.
Can You Visit Longji Between Guilin and Yangshuo?
Yes — and this can be an excellent way to organize your itinerary.
A common mistake is assuming that every excursion must begin and end in Guilin.
If you are traveling through Guangxi, consider a route such as:
Guilin → Longji Rice Terraces (1 night) → Yangshuo
With a private vehicle, you can arrange transportation around your actual itinerary and avoid unnecessary backtracking.
This is especially convenient if you are traveling with luggage.
Private Driver from Guilin to Longji Rice Terraces
Longji is beautiful precisely because it is deep in the mountains — but that also makes transportation more complicated than visiting an attraction in downtown Guilin.
If you prefer door-to-door transportation, Guilin Drivers provides private driver and car services for international travelers visiting Guilin, Longji and Yangshuo.
Possible routes include:
- Guilin → Longji Rice Terraces
- Guilin Airport → Longji Rice Terraces
- Guilin Railway Station → Longji
- Longji → Guilin
- Longji → Yangshuo
- Guilin → Longji → Guilin day trip
- Guilin → Longji → Yangshuo multi-day itinerary
For an overnight trip, your transportation can be arranged around your hotel, luggage and sightseeing schedule rather than a fixed bus timetable.
Final Thoughts
Longji Rice Terraces isn’t a place that needs to be rushed.
Walk through the villages. Stop when the clouds roll across the mountains. Have dinner overlooking the terraces. Wake early and see what the morning weather brings.
Whether the fields are filled with spring water, covered in summer green or glowing gold before harvest, Longji offers a completely different side of Guangxi from the famous karst scenery of Guilin and Yangshuo.
And if you have the time, stay for the night.
The quiet hours in the mountains may end up being the part of Longji you remember most.
Planning a Longji Rice Terraces trip?
Guilin Drivers provides private transportation between Guilin, Longji Rice Terraces, Yangshuo, Guilin Airport and railway stations, making it easier to build Longji into your wider Guilin itinerary.