In-depth Guilin Tour: Longji Rice Terraces Hike & Leisurely Yangshuo
Want to explore a typical Chinese painting-like landscape? Come to Guilin. Want to experience the beauty of the Chinese countryside? Yangshuo welcomes you. Interested in learning about China's agriculture & Rice Planting? Take a hike in Longji. Join our 5-day Guilin Yangshuo Longji Tour with Hiking in Longji Rice Terraces and discover a natural paradise surrounded by beautiful waters, mountains, rice terraced fields, ethnic groups cultures,remarkable karst landscapes, and unbelievable caves.
Curious about how ancient Chinese people grew rice? Take a 2-day Longji Rice Terraces Hiking Tour and explore the minority villages dotted among the rice fields, such as Huangluo Yao Village (Long Hair Village), Ping'an Village (Zhuang Minority), and Dazhai Village (Red Yao Minority). Try the local minority's unique cuisine, including Rice Wine, Bamboo Rice, and Oil-tea, visit their architecture made of wood and bamboo, and try traditional Yao clothing (Chinese Intangible Heritage) to gain a better understanding of Zhuang & Yao Minority Culture.
Ni Hao! Welcome to Guilin, the most picturesque paradise in China! Upon your arrival at Guilin airport/train station, the tour guide and driver will meet you at the exit, greet you, and escort you directly to the downtown area, where they will help you check in at your hotel.
Arrival Options: Travelers can reach Guilin by taking a flight or a train. Guilin Lijiang Airport has flights connecting to major cities such as Beijing, Xi’an, Shanghai, Chengdu, Chongqing, and Hangzhou, among others. Guilin has three main train stations in the downtown area: Guilin Railway Station, Guilin North, and Guilin West. Travelers can take high-speed trains to Guilin from Hong Kong (4 hours), Guangzhou (3 hours), Chongqing (4.5-5 hours), Chengdu (5.5-6 hours), Changsha (2.5-3 hours), Zhangjiajie (7 hours), and other cities.
Free Time Suggestions:
If you happen to arrive early, you can explore on your own to some of the easily accessible nearby sites. We highly recommend visiting:
1. Jingjiang Prince’s City: It boasts a rich history dating back to the late 14th century, making it older than Beijing’s Forbidden City. Once the official residence of Zhu Shouqian, a great-nephew of the first Ming Dynasty emperor, it served as a haven for scholars who achieved the highest rank in the imperial examinations. Immerse yourself in the fascinating stories of its past by exploring the historical buildings, or ascend to the top of Solitary Beauty Peak for a breathtaking panoramic view of Guilin.
2. East West Alley: Step back in time and explore the charming East West Alley, which merges with three ancient streets, offering a glimpse into the rich history of Guilin. Established during the Tang Dynasty, the alley has borne witness to nearly 1400 years of the city’s rise and fall. Take a leisurely stroll along the streets and indulge in some local delicacies, such as the famous Guilin Rice Noodles. Immerse yourself in the traditional culture by trying your hand at fan-making, Lijiang River sand and stone painting or even donning a Hanfu, an ancient Chinese costume.
3. Two Rivers and Four Lakes Cruise: When night falls, take a relaxing cruise to sail through the Two Rivers and Four Lakes scenic area. It takes about 1-1.5 hours depending on the route you choose. Sit back, relax and take in the stunning views of the tranquil waters and illuminated landmarks, including ancient bridges, pagodas, and lush gardens.
This morning, drive about 77km (2 hours) from Guilin (altitude of 100m) to the Longji Terraces Scenic Area (altitude of 300-1,100m). Inside the scenic area, the winding mountain roads will lead you to the incredible Longji Rice Terraces (Longsheng Rice Terraces) that were created by the ancient Zhuang and Yao minority peoples 2,300 years ago. You will make a stop at Huangluo Yao Village (Long Hair Village) to learn more about the culture of the Yao minority through a performance by local Yao women. After a unique lunch featuring bamboo rice, you will begin hiking in the brilliant Longji Rice Terraces around Ping’an Village.
In the morning, you will arrive at the Huangluo Yao Village (population of over 400) which is famous as “the World’s Longest Hair Village”. You will marvel at the dramatically long and pitch-black hairs worn by its women of the Yao ethnic group. The village has over 70 Yao women with hairs over 1 meter (the longest hair of 2.72 meters) which has been listed by Guinness World Record as the “longest hair group”. By watching the performances of villagers (45min, optional), such as folk songs, drum dances, Red Yao wedding customs, sunning red clothes, and combing long hair, you will learn about the history, traditions and way of life of the Red Yao people, such as customs like spinning and weaving. You can even ask Red Yao women to share their secrets on how to take care of their long hair and how to make their Rice Water Shampoo.
Next, head to Ping’an Village for lunch. You’ll visit a local villager’s restaurant where you can try some local Rice Wine and learn to cook some popular local dishes, such as Bamboo Rice (rice cooked in bamboo tubes) Bamboo Tube Chicken (bamboo stuffed chicken), and Chinese Smoked Pork (smoked Chinese bacon).
In the afternoon, enjoy hiking in the Longji Rice Terraces (Longsheng Rice Terrace) around Ping’an Village. The Longji Rice Terraces are one of the top ten most beautiful terraced fields in the world and the closest terraced fields to a major city. With a history of at least 2,300 years, Longji Rice Terraces are hailed as the “Birthplace of Terraced Fields Worldwide” and a “Globally Significant Agricultural Cultural Heritage”. It has not only been included in the list of National Wetland Parks but also represents an important heritage of ancient Chinese water management wisdom and agricultural civilization that has been passed down to this day by ancient Zhuang and Yao peoples. As you walk across the cobbled paths of the Ping’an Rice Terrace Fields, you can reach its famous viewing platforms, such as the Seven Stars Accompany the Moon (880m, Sunrise Viewing Spot) and Nine Dragons and Five Tigers (980m, Sunset Viewing spot). At the Nine Dragons and Five Tigers viewing platform (九龙五虎), you will see why it is named Longji Rice Terrace (Dragon Backbone Rice Terraces).
You can also walk into Ping’an Village along the stone-paved road, where you will find 170 households and over 700 people, all belonging to the Zhuang ethnic group with the surname “Liao”. Men wear short gowns made of hand-loomed cloth, while women wear white shirts, black pants, and brightly colored cloth on their heads. Here, you can have a close-up view of the Zhuang people’s distinctive stilted houses called “Diaojiaolou” (吊脚楼) in the mountain valley. You may encounter local Zhuang villagers, taste or make unique Zhuang People’s food like oil-tea, have the opportunity to learn more about Zhuang ethnic customs and culture, as if you are transported to ancient times.
Take your time to find the best viewpoints to capture the beauty of the incredible terrace fields that exist since ancient times. After the hiking (lasts 2-3 hours) with a panorama view of the fields, go back to overnight in Ping’an Village, which is home to the Zhuang people.
This morning, you can wake up early to reach the Seven Stars Accompany the Moon (880m,七星伴月**) to watch the sunrise over the rice terraces, weather permitting. The Seven Stars Accompany the Moon comprises seven small piles of rocks that were left there when the area’s development, located in the middle of a moon-like field. It is a perfect place for photography. After that, it is time to begin the 4-5 hours hike from Ping’an Rice Terraced Fields (located in Ping’an Village) to Jinkeng Rice Terraces Fields (located in Dazhai Village), which are the largest of the four terraces fields of Longji and the only terraced facility with cable car. As Dazhai Village is home to the Red Yao Minority, you will have lunch in the Yao village along your hike trail. After the hike, when you reach the Dazhai parking lot, your driver will meet you there and drive you back to Guilin or Yangshuo, depending on your next destination.
Compared to the small and beautiful scenery of Ping’an Rice Terraced Fields, the scenery of Jinkeng Rice Terraced Fields has the largest scale, highest altitude, deepest valley, and the most magnificent scenery. In Chinese, “Jin” means “Gold”, “Keng” means “Sinkhole”. The Jinkeng Terraced Fields are named after the production of gold and are surrounded by mountains on all sides, resembling a natural sinkhole. Today’s hike from Ping’an Village to Dazhai Village (14km) is more popular among keen hikers and offers even more one-of-a-kind scenery than the leisurely hiking around Ping’an Terraced Fields. The Jinkeng Rice Terraced Fields feature three best viewpoints: West Hill Music (西山韶乐; 1,180m, the highest spot for sunrises and sunsets), Thousand Layers to the Heavens (千层天梯; a sunset spot & photographer’s first choice), and Golden Buddha Peak (金佛顶; a sunrises spot with a panoramic terraces view). You can watch farmers working in the fields or rent a set of Yao ethnic group costumes and take pictures. It is also optional for you to take a 20-minute cable car ride from the Dazhai parking lot to Golden Buddha Peak instead of a 1-hour walk.
In Jinkeng Terraced Fields, you will gain a greater understanding of the strength and wisdom of humanity that are fully present on this land. After a half-day hike around the terraced fields, it will be time to transfer back to Guilin.
“East or west, Guilin landscape is the best”. After breakfast, you will go to explore the most stunning natural scenery along the Li River, which is renowned as one of the “the world’s top 10 watery wonders” by National Geographic. After a 1-hour drive from your hotel to the Mopanshan Pier, embark on a 4-hour relaxing sightseeing Li River cruise to Yangshuo. Throughout the 83-kilometer scenic cruise, you’ll be entranced by countless Chinese paintings come to life, with winding rivers and towering Karst peaks in every direction. Marvel at the famous sights along the banks, such as the Immortal Pushing the Mill, Nine-Horse Fresco, Yellow Cloth Shoal reflection, and the picture on the back of the 20 RMB note. You’ll also encounter idyllic villages like Xingping Town nestled along the river. (Kindly Note: 1. Lunch Upgrade: Asia Odyssey Travel has thoughtfully prepared a customized Western-style lunch exclusively for you. Your guide will bring freshly made meals prepared early that morning for you to enjoy on the boat. 2. If you prefer a 4-star Li River cruise, please tell your travel consultant.)
After arriving in Yangshuo, the driver will pick you up from the dock and drive to your hotel in Yangshuo town for a short rest. Once you’re ready, step out and let the captivating scenery of Yangshuo’s countryside wash over you. Vibrant, green fields stretch out like a sea of emeralds, nestled under a clear, blue sky. The misty Karst mountains rise in the distance, their vast and rolling shapes protecting the serene landscape below.
Then, it’s time to immerse yourself in this rural paradise up close. You can either hop on a bike or rent a sidecar (optional) to explore the postcard-like Karst hills and rice paddies and pass by some tranquil villages. Let all the picturesque scenes please your eyes and your souls to the maximum for total relaxation. At various points, you might also spot locals engaging in their daily chores, farmers tending to their fields, or even children playing along the riverbanks. Dotting the riverbanks are quaint stone houses, their grey slate roofs offering a delightful contrast against the verdant surroundings. You might also encounter a solitary water buffalo leisurely grazing in the fields, adding a heartwarming touch of rural life to the panoramic vista.
Next, board a hand-cranked bamboo raft for a journey down the Yulong River. As you ease into the gentle rhythm of the water, you become one with the serene surroundings. The clear water sparkles as it captures the sun’s rays, vibrant green river grass dances with the water’s flow underneath the surface, lush bamboos and verdant rice paddies dot the riverbanks, the karst mountains are shrouded in soft mist. As you float downstream, you’ll drift past the ancient bridges, a testament to the architectural marvels of yore, and glide through a variety of dams that interrupt the river flow, creating gentle rapids that splash cool water around, enhancing the joy of the journey.
Then, you will stroll along West Street, which is the most prosperous area in Yangshuo. Restaurants, bars, and souvenir shops along the street are always full of guests. It is a fusion of Western culture and Chinese culture and it is the best place to spend your nightlife here. Whether you want to enjoy a cup of coffee, taste some local food or just throw yourself into the vivid atmosphere… all you can get.
Optional Evening Activity: If you are interested, you can enjoy the amazing evening performance called Impression Liu Sanjie directed by the famous director Zhang Yimou. The show uses the natural landscape as its stage, with the karst mountains and river serving as a unique backdrop. It combines traditional folk music, vibrant costumes, and modern theatrical techniques for a fantastic spectacle of light, sound, and color.
Wake up from the tranquility of Yangshuo to start your journey toward Guilin. As you enjoy a refreshing breakfast, you can take in the natural beauty of the verdant Yangshuo countryside one last time with a leisurely stroll.
After driving back to Guilin, take the time to visit the stunning Elephant Trunk Hill, which is widely regarded as the symbol of Guilin. This natural wonder sits at the confluence of the Li River and Peach Blossom River, resembling a giant elephant drinking water from the river. The hill is made of water-soluble limestone rocks that have been gradually eroded by acidic rainwater over millions of years, creating a unique and breathtaking landscape. Its beauty is so awe-inspiring that it has contributed to the popular saying “桂林山水甲天下”, which means that Guilin’s scenery is the best under heaven. Next, take a walk to Water-Moon Cave, a semicircular opening in the rock that represents the space between the elephant’s trunk and legs. This cave stands 12 meters high and features several classical Song and Tang dynasty poems inscribed on its walls in Chinese characters.
Afterwards, you will pay a visit to the Reed Flute Cave, also known as the Palace of Nature’s Art. Inside the cave, you’ll find a stunning array of uniquely shaped and exquisitely transparent stalactites, stalagmites, columns, curtains, and flowers that are truly a sight to behold. These formations create a variety of stunning landscapes, including Lion Peak at Dawn, the Primitive Forest, the Pinnacle of Dragon and Elephant, and the Mountain of Fruits and Flowers, leaving visitors in awe. When illuminated with colorful neon lights, it feels like walking through a magical underground palace that will leave you spellbound. Don’t miss the Crystal Palace, where the water surface reflects off the rock walls, creating a dreamlike scene of dazzling display of light and color. Experience the Water Curtain Movie here, which allows you to observe geological changes such as the growth of stalactites and stalagmites, adding an extra layer of magic to this incredible natural wonder.
After the tour, it will be time to say goodbye to this beautiful city. You will be transferred to the airport or train station for your flight/train to your next destination.
Trip Extension Ideas: If you’re interested in exploring other destinations in China and Asia instead of returning home right away, we would be more than happy to assist you with planning an extension trip. Don’t hesitate to share your ideas with us!
Thank you for choosing Asia Odyssey Travel for your China tour. We are always here to work for you and hope to welcome you back for your next trip to China or Asia.
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