Longji Rice Terraces

The most-photographed terraces in China

The Longji (Dragon’s Backbone, 龙脊) Rice Terraces are a 700-year-old terraced rice paddy system built by the Zhuang and Yao ethnic minorities in Longsheng County, 100 km north of Guilin. The terraces span 66 km² across four main villages — Ping’an, Dazhai, Longji, and Jinkeng — at elevations from 300 m to 1,100 m. The total length of the terraced ridges, if laid end to end, would circle the Earth.

The name “Dragon’s Backbone” comes from the shape: the ridge of the mountain resembles a dragon’s spine, with the rice paddies forming the scales. The system was designed over centuries by Zhuang farmers to maximize water retention on steep mountain slopes, and the paddies are still actively farmed today by Yao and Zhuang families using traditional methods.

For foreign visitors, Longji is the most accessible major terrace landscape in China — closer to a major international airport (Guilin) than the more famous Yuanyang terraces in Yunnan (6 hours from Kunming). The terraces are reachable as a 1-day trip from Guilin city, with a Didi round-trip or a self-drive.

What to actually see

The terraces change dramatically with the season:

• April-May (water-mirror season) — the paddies are filled with water for planting, and the surface reflects the sky like a mirror. The most-photographed scene in all of Guangxi. Mornings have low mist rising from the paddies; afternoons are clear and bright.
• Late June-July (green planting season) — the rice is planted, the paddies are lush green, the surrounding forest is full. Occasional rainbows. Fewer domestic tourists than April.
• September-October (golden harvest season) — the rice ripens to gold, the harvest begins, the air smells of fresh rice. The second-most-photographed season. Cooler weather.
• December-February (winter) — the terraces are dormant, the paddies are brown, occasional snow (rare in southern China). The fewest tourists. Stark and beautiful.

Two villages are the main entry points:

Ping’an (平安) — the closer (1 hour from the gate) and more visited. Easier trails, the classic Seven Stars with Moon viewpoint, more restaurants and shops. Most day-trippers and most tour buses stop here. 3-4 hours is enough.

Dazhai (大寨) — the further (1.5 hours from the gate) and more authentic. Bigger terraces, the Thousand-Layer Ladder viewpoint, less crowded, fewer Western tourists. Yao minority culture is more present. 4-6 hours to do properly.

Most foreign visitors do both villages in one day, with a Didi driver who waits at the gate.

A brief history

The Longji terraces were first built in the Southern Song dynasty (13th century) by the Zhuang minority, who migrated from the lowlands to the mountains to escape war and political instability. Over the following 700 years, Zhuang and Yao families extended the terraces, each generation adding new paddies and improving the irrigation system.

The terraces are still actively farmed. Each family owns a few paddies and passes them down through the generations. The water-management system is communal — a village head (寨老) coordinates the water release schedule for the entire village, ensuring each paddy gets its share.

In the 1990s, the local government recognized the terraces as a tourism resource and began developing infrastructure (roads, viewpoints, restaurants). In 2018, Longji was designated a UNESCO Global Agricultural Heritage site — one of the first in China.

Getting to Longji Rice Terraces

Longji is 100 km north of Guilin, in Longsheng County. The transfer is the main challenge — there is no direct public transport that matches the rhythm of a day trip.

Didi round-trip (recommended): ¥600-800 total for a 1-day trip with the driver waiting 4-6 hours. Most flexible option. Negotiate the round-trip price before departing (the meter will be more expensive).

Self-drive: 2 hours via G65 Baotou-Maoming Expressway north to Longsheng exit, then 30 km of mountain road. Roads are paved but winding. Parking at Ping’an ¥20/day, Dazhai ¥15/day.

Tourist shuttle from Guilin Railway Station: ¥50 one-way, 2.5 hours, departs 08:00, returns 16:00. Rigid schedule but cheapest.

Private car with driver: ¥800-1,200 for a 1-day trip. Bookable through your hotel or via WeChat mini-programs.

Practicalities for foreign visitors

• Payment: Gate accepts Alipay (with international Visa/Mastercard) and WeChat Pay. Village restaurants also accept cash and Alipay. Bring small cash (¥200-500) for tips, souvenirs, and small purchases.
• Dress code: No dress code but wear hiking shoes (the stone steps are wet and slippery). Bring a waterproof jacket in April-May. Warm layers in October-November.
• Photography: Allowed throughout. The classic viewpoint at Seven Stars with Moon is the most-photographed; arrive at sunrise for the best light and fewest people.
• Language: Main viewpoints and the gate are bilingual (Chinese + English). The trails have Chinese-only signage. Local Zhuang and Yao people speak basic Mandarin.
• Restrooms: Available at the gate, the main viewpoints, and at most village restaurants (¥2-5). Bring your own tissue paper.
• WiFi: No WiFi at the terraces. Use mobile data (China eSIM recommended).

What to do nearby

• Li River Cruise (漓江) — 65 km south, the classic Guilin-to-Yangshuo cruise. Combine with Longji for a 2-day Guilin itinerary.
• Reed Flute Cave (芦笛岩) — 5 km from Guilin city, a 240-meter illuminated limestone cave. Half-day visit.
• Elephant Trunk Hill (象鼻山) — the symbol of Guilin city, a 55-meter hill shaped like an elephant drinking from the Li River. Easy 1-2 hour visit.
• West Street, Yangshuo (阳朔西街) — 65 km south, the foreigner-friendly pedestrian street with 800+ shops. Combine with Longji for a 2-day trip.