Overview
Most visitors see the Longji Rice Terraces as a day trip. By mid-afternoon, the shuttle buses are rolling and the viewpoints empty out. But the real magic happens after the crowds leave — sunset turning 600-year-old paddies to gold, thousands of lights tracing every terrace ridge like a river of stars, and dawn mist rising from the valley while you watch from above.
This longji rice terraces 2 day hiking experience takes you from the Yao Long Hair Village to the summit of Dazhai, then across 16 km of ancient stone trails to Pingan. Two minority villages. One night in a mountain stilted house. Every hour of golden light.
Highlights
- Golden Buddha Summit Sunset — Watch 600-year-old paddies turn to gold as the sun dips behind the mountains
- Starry Night Terraces — Thousands of solar lights trace every terrace ridge after dark, glowing like a river of stars across the mountainside
- Sunrise Above the Clouds — Morning mist rolls through the valley as dawn light paints the terraces in orange and pink
- 16km Cross-Village Trek — Walk ancient stone paths connecting Dazhai and Pingan through minority villages and ridgelines
- Yao Long Hair Village — Meet women who cut their hair just once in a lifetime, a tradition spanning a thousand years
- Yao Homestay — Sleep in a wooden stilted house above the terraces, with mountain air and the sound of flowing water
Itinerary
Guilin to Golden Buddha Summit: Sunset Over the Terraces
Your driver picks you up from your Guilin hotel around 8:00 AM. The 2-hour drive follows the Li River valley into the mountains.
First stop: Yellow Luo Yao Village. Women in red traditional dress weave outside wooden houses. Their hair — often over 2 meters — symbolizes longevity. Walk through the village and enjoy a simple local lunch (own expense or pre-order at $10/person).
Continue to Jinkeng Dazhai, the highest section of the terraces. Check into your stilted-house homestay.
Late afternoon: light trek to Golden Buddha Summit viewpoint. You can take the cable car (own expense, CNY 70 single / CNY 100 round trip), but we recommend exploring the terraces on foot with your guide for a deeper experience. Watch sunset from the top, then head back to the homestay.
Dinner is home-cooked local dishes — bamboo-tube rice, free-range chicken, mountain vegetables (own expense, can be pre-ordered at $15/person). After dark, step outside and watch thousands of solar lights trace every terrace ridge — the entire mountainside glows like a river of stars.
Trekking distance: approx. 4 km
Sunrise, then 12km Cross-Village Trek to Pingan
Early morning: walk to the viewpoint before dawn. Watch mist rise from the valley as first light turns the paddies orange and pink.
After a simple breakfast, start the 12 km cross-village trek to Pingan. The trail winds through the terraces — every step reveals a different view, with layered paddies stretching across the mountainside in every direction. Along the way, you pass through an old village where you can take a short break inside a traditional stilted house.
Arrive at Pingan by midday. Rest and have lunch (pre-order at $10/person or bring your own), then visit the classic viewpoints — Seven Stars Accompanying the Moon (seven hilltops wrapped in circular paddies) and Nine Dragons and Five Tigers (ridgeline stretching across layered mountains).
Descend to the parking area. Your driver picks you up for the 2-hour drive back to Guilin.
Trekking distance: approx. 12 km
What's Included
- Scenic area entrance ticket (valid 3 days, all zones)
- Scenic area shuttle bus (round trip)
- English-speaking guide (2 days)
- Guilin hotel pick-up and drop-off (private vehicle)
- Travel insurance
What's Not Included
- Accommodation ($60 per room per night, includes breakfast)
- Lunch (can be pre-ordered at $10/person)
- Dinner (own expense, can be pre-ordered at $15/person)
- Cable car (optional, single trip CNY 70 / round trip CNY 100, payable on site)
- Round-trip transportation to Guilin
- Personal expenses
Good to Know
- What to Bring: Comfortable hiking shoes with good grip — the stone steps can be slippery, especially after rain. Bring a light rain jacket (mountain weather changes fast), sunscreen, and a charged power bank for photos.
- Best Time to Visit: May through June is the flooding season — the terraces are filled with water, creating stunning mirror reflections with no rice plants yet. July through September brings lush green waves rippling across the paddies. October is the golden rice season — the most photogenic time of the year. Book early for October weekends (peak season).
- How to Book: Share your Guilin hotel name and check-in date when you Contact us. We need passport details for scenic area tickets and insurance. Please book at least 72 hours before departure.
- Physical Level: Moderate. Day 1 is a short 4 km light trek with some steep stone steps. Day 2 is a full 12 km trek with sustained ups and downs. You should be comfortable walking 5+ hours on uneven terrain. The cable car option on Day 1 saves energy for the big trek on Day 2.
