Short answer
The Longji Rice Terraces are a network of centuries-old rice fields built into the hills about 80 km northwest of Guilin by Zhuang and Yao farmers, with the highest fields above 1,100 m. The name means dragon's backbone, after the ridgeline shapes the terraces climb.
One entrance ticket, commonly quoted at around ¥80–100 per adult, covers all three terrace areas: Ping'an, Jinkeng Dazhai and the Ancient Zhuang Village. Entry is open all day, and the site is really two main destinations — Ping'an for the iconic curved terraces, Dazhai for the cable car and the longer hikes.
Getting in is the hard part: the mountain road from Guilin takes 2.5 to 3 hours each way, so a day trip means five to six hours of vehicle time. Staying one night in the hills is how the place is meant to be seen — the sunrise viewpoints are empty until the buses arrive around mid-morning.
Ping'an versus Dazhai: the decision that shapes the trip
Longji is not one village. Two areas matter, and they suit different kinds of visitor.
| Ping'an | Dazhai (Jinkeng) | |
|---|---|---|
| The people | Zhuang village | Yao (Red Yao) village |
| The signature view | Curved terraces, the "Seven Stars Accompanying the Moon" viewpoint | Larger, steeper slopes and the cable car |
| Getting up | Walk — a 30–45 minute paved climb to the viewpoints | Optional cable car, or hike |
| Best for | First visit, classic photos, an easy half day | Hiking, sunrise, staying overnight |
| Nearby | Shops, guesthouses, viewpoints in walking distance | The Huangluo Red Yao Village on the way in |
If you have only one day, pick Ping'an. The two signature viewpoints are close together, the climb is short and paved, and it delivers the image that draws most people here. Dazhai rewards the extra time: it is where the terraces feel biggest, and where the cable car saves the climb for anyone not up to hiking.
How the terraces change across the year
Longji is a working landscape, not a static panorama, and what you see depends entirely on when you come.
- May to June. The fields are flooded and the terraces mirror the sky. This is the most photographed stretch of the year, especially at dawn.
- Late September to October. The rice turns gold just before the harvest. The October peak is also the busiest, and the villages fill up.
- November to April. The fields are cut or bare. Quiet and cheap, but the colour is gone.
Getting to Longji from Guilin
The terraces sit about 80 km from Guilin, and the mountain roads turn that into a 2.5 to 3 hour drive. Options, in rough order of convenience:
- Direct tourist bus or shuttle. Services run from Guilin's stations toward the terraces, aiming to drop you at the village entrance rather than at a bus station below. This is the standard independent option.
- Public bus via Longsheng. Buses from Guilin Qintan Bus Station run toward Longsheng (reported fares around ¥45–85, about 2.5 hours), then a local bus continues up to the terraces. Two changes and the last bus times need checking.
- Private car or booked tour. Fastest and door-to-door, worth it with luggage or a family.
However the last stretch is handled, most tickets terminate somewhere below the villages, and an internal sightseeing bus or a walk closes the final gap. Check the last bus back to Guilin before you commit to a late return — miss it and you are staying the night whether you planned to or not.
Tickets and the extras
| Item | Approx. price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Entry ticket (adult) | ~¥80–100 | Covers all three terrace areas; children pay a reduced fare by height |
| Internal sightseeing bus | ~¥30 | Shuttle between the parking area and the viewpoints |
| Jinkeng cable car | ~¥55–100 one way | Dazhai area only, optional, separate from entry |
Indicative figures only. Ticket prices, shuttle costs and cable-car fares are set locally and move with the season.
Practical rules visitors get caught out by
- The road is slower than the map looks. Eighty kilometres can take three hours. Do not plan a tight itinerary on the other side.
- Booking means accommodation, not the gate. Entry is usually same-day; the thing that sells out in harvest season is a bed, and in the villages there are not many of them.
- Wear real shoes. The stone paths are steep and turn slick after rain. Sandals are how ankles get rolled.
- Bring small cash. Village guesthouses and stalls take mobile payment before cash; have both ready.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the Longji Rice Terraces entry ticket?
The entrance ticket is commonly quoted at around 80 to 100 yuan per adult and covers all three terrace areas, Ping'an, Jinkeng Dazhai and the Ancient Zhuang Village. Children under a given height pay reduced prices. Confirm the live figure on the official channel, prices move with the season.
Ping'an or Dazhai — which village should I choose?
Ping'an is the Zhuang village with the classic curved terraces and the famous Seven Stars viewpoint, and it is the gentler introduction. Dazhai sits in the Jinkeng area, is Yao (Red Yao) country, has the cable car, and suits hikers and overnighters. Many short trips do Ping'an and call it enough.
How do I get to Longji from Guilin?
The terraces are about 80 km northwest of Guilin, and the mountain roads make it a 2.5 to 3 hour journey. Direct tourist buses and shuttle services run from the Guilin stations, and public buses go from Guilin Qintan Bus Station toward Longsheng, where a local bus continues up to the terraces. A private car or booked tour is the simplest option with luggage.
When is the best season for the Longji Rice Terraces?
Late May to June, when the terraces are filled with water and mirror the sky, and late September through October, when the rice turns gold before harvest. The area is open all year; winter is quieter but the fields are bare.
Do I need to book Longji in advance?
The entry ticket is usually same-day, but in the October harvest peak the villages fill up fast, so book accommodation ahead. If you want a specific transport seat or a guided day trip, book that in advance too.
How long should I allow at Longji?
A day trip from Guilin works for one village. For both Ping'an and Dazhai, or for sunrise, stay one night in the hills. The road in and out eats about five to six hours of any round trip.
Can I hike between the viewpoint areas?
Yes. Stone paths connect villages and viewpoints, and the walk between nearby viewpoints is short and paved. Paths are steep and can be slick after rain, so wear shoes with grip rather than sandals.
Is the cable car included in the ticket?
No. The cable car at the Jinkeng Dazhai area is a separate, optional ticket on top of entry, and so are the internal sightseeing buses. The entrance ticket covers the terrace areas themselves.
Related reading
Longji is usually built around a Guilin base, which also gives you the Li River and Yangshuo karst scenery. See the destinations index to plan the rest of the loop.
Compiled from published terrace area listings, ticket-price reporting by Guilin travel references, and Guilin-to-Longji bus and shuttle fare reports, cross-checked 30 September 2026. Ticket prices, shuttle and cable-car fares and bus timetables are set locally and change with the season — the official channel at the time you travel is the authoritative version. Nothing on this page is a guarantee of pricing.