How to Visit the Longji Rice Terraces Independently (And What to Actually Say to the Bus Driver)

The Longji Rice Terraces in Guangxi are one of the most spectacular landscapes in China. They're also genuinely tricky to reach independently. Here's the practical guide.

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What Are the Longji Rice Terraces?

The Longji Rice Terraces (龙脊梯田) are a series of rice paddies carved into the mountainside in Longsheng County, Guangxi, about 100 km from Guilin. Built starting from the Yuan Dynasty, they stretch from the riverbank up to 1,100 meters altitude.

Best seasons to visit:

• April–May: Water-filled terraces reflect the sky like mirrors
• June–September: Green rice waves, full of life
• September–October: Golden harvest season
• December–February: Possible snow views, but less common

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Getting There

From Guilin, you need to reach the terrace area — about two hours by road. There's no direct train.

Option 1: Bus from Guilin Bus Station

Process:

1. Take a bus from Guilin bus station to Longsheng county town (about 2 hours, ¥30–40)
2. Transfer to a local minibus at Longsheng bus station to the terrace entrance (about 1 hour, ¥15–20)
3. Buy entrance tickets at the scenic area gate (¥80), then take the shuttle bus to your village

Total journey: 3–4 hours with transfer

Pros: Cheap
Cons: Transfer hassle, language barrier

Option 2: Private Driver

Cost: ¥400–600 round trip

Pros: Fast, convenient, no transfers
Cons: More expensive

Option 3: Organized Day Trip

Cost: ¥200–400 (includes transport, entrance, guide)

Pros: Hassle-free
Cons: Rigid schedule, short time, surface-level experience

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What to Say to the Bus Driver

Two Main Villages

Dazhai (大寨):

• Largest Yao ethnic village
• Most popular starting point
• Three viewing platforms (No. 1, No. 2, No. 3)
• No. 1 is highest with best views, but requires 1+ hour climb

Ping'an (平安):

• Older Zhuang ethnic village
• Classic views of "Seven Stars with Moon" and "Nine Dragons and Five Tigers"
• Closer to the entrance
• Slightly fewer tourists

What You Need to Say

If going to Dazhai:

"I'm going to Dazhai" (Wǒ qù Dàzhài)

If going to Ping'an:

"I'm going to Ping'an" (Wǒ qù Píng'ān)

If the driver asks which guesthouse:

Show them the Chinese name and phone number of your guesthouse on your phone

Where travelers get stuck: The minibus transfer in Longsheng is where people get stuck. The minibus drivers don't speak English. They'll ask which village you're going to — there are several, and they serve different terrace areas. If you can't answer, you'll get put on the wrong minibus or left waiting.

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Where to Stay

Stay Inside the Terrace Area

Don't stay in Longsheng town. Stay in guesthouses inside the terrace area for the morning and evening views.

Guesthouse Conditions

Expect:

• Basic facilities (bed, desk, hot water)
• Hot water not guaranteed (some use solar, no hot water on cloudy days)
• Heating rare (electric blankets in winter)
• WiFi may be slow or absent
• Simple meals (guesthouse home cooking)

But: The morning view of mist rolling through the terraces is worth any number of cold showers.

How to Book

The problem: Many guesthouses don't appear on Western booking platforms (Booking, Agoda).

Solutions:

1. Ctrip or Meituan — Chinese booking platforms with English interfaces
2. Contact guesthouses directly — via WeChat if you have it
3. Have LeBo help — We call directly in Chinese to confirm

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Hiking Between Villages

The main reason to stay overnight is the hiking.

Classic Route: Dazhai → Ping'an

Distance: About 10 km
Time: 4–5 hours
Difficulty: Moderate (up and down hills)
Scenery: Through terraces, bamboo groves, small hamlets

Tips:

• Download offline maps (Baidu Maps or Gaode Maps)
• Start early — afternoon sun on terraces is brutal in summer
• Bring enough water and snacks
• Wear comfortable shoes

Where travelers get stuck: There are forks in the trail where both directions look equally plausible. Local farmers can point you the right way if you can ask. "Ping'an zenme zou?" (How do I get to Ping'an?) is the sentence you need.

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Final Notes

Longji is absolutely worth the effort. It's also the kind of destination where a single miscommunication — wrong bus, wrong village, lost booking — can cost you half a day. Either budget extra time for things to go wrong, or have someone who can intervene in Mandarin when they do.

Rules, prices, and transport schedules can change. Always verify current information before your trip.

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Last updated: June 2026