Longji Rice Terraces Cable Car Guilin
Experience the breathtaking 'Dragon's Backbone' rice terraces, a UNESCO World Heritage site carved into Guilin's mountains.

Highlights
Must-see attractions

Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Vibrant green fields
Longji Rice Terraces Cable Car Guilin
Best Time
Vibrant green fields

Highlights
Must-see attractions
Experience the breathtaking 'Dragon's Backbone' rice terraces, a UNESCO World Heritage site carved into Guilin's mountains.
"Absolutely beautiful and picture perfect, a must-see area when visiting Guilin."
🎒 Pack Comfortable Shoes
Lots of steps and uneven paths! :athletic_shoe: Essential for exploring the terraces and villages.
🚠 Consider the Cable Car
Saves time and energy, offering stunning aerial views. :ferris_wheel: Great for reaching key viewpoints quickly.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

The Iconic Terraces
Longji Rice Terraces
Vast, undulating rice paddies carved into the mountainside, resembling a dragon's spine.

Red Yao Village
Dazhai Village
Experience the unique culture of the Red Yao minority, known for their long hair and traditional attire.

Cable Car Views
Longji Cable Car Station
Ascend effortlessly for panoramic vistas of the sprawling rice terraces below.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Timing is Everything for the Terraces
Getting There & Around
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🎒 Pack Comfortable Shoes
Lots of steps and uneven paths! :athletic_shoe: Essential for exploring the terraces and villages.
🚠 Consider the Cable Car
Saves time and energy, offering stunning aerial views. :ferris_wheel: Great for reaching key viewpoints quickly.
📸 Capture the Golden Season
The terraces turn golden before harvest, a photographer's dream. :camerawithflash: Visit in autumn for this spectacle.
💧 Stay Hydrated
It can get very hot and humid, especially in late August. :droplet: Bring plenty of water.
Tips
from all over the internet
🎒 Pack Comfortable Shoes
Lots of steps and uneven paths! :athletic_shoe: Essential for exploring the terraces and villages.
🚠 Consider the Cable Car
Saves time and energy, offering stunning aerial views. :ferris_wheel: Great for reaching key viewpoints quickly.
📸 Capture the Golden Season
The terraces turn golden before harvest, a photographer's dream. :camerawithflash: Visit in autumn for this spectacle.
💧 Stay Hydrated
It can get very hot and humid, especially in late August. :droplet: Bring plenty of water.
🛍️ Yao Minority Souvenirs
Look for unique silver earrings from the Red Yao women. :gem: A beautiful reminder of your visit.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors consistently praise the breathtaking beauty of the Longji Rice Terraces, calling them a 'must-see' for their unique, sculpted landscapes. The opportunity to witness the Red Yao culture and the stunning seasonal transformations adds to the appeal. However, some find the journey long and the mid-September heat intense, with a few noting that the terraces can appear dry post-harvest.
"Worth seeing, but very hot in mid-September. A short hike of about 40 minutes to the highest point on steps. The descent is easy through a bamboo forest. Along the way there are many opportunities to buy souvenirs. Recommendation: silver earrings of the Yao minority. The small village at the end of the descent seemed abandoned. In general, few tourists, and the restaurants were empty. Worth seeing are the long-haired women with their Guinness World Record entry. The associated museum is not recommended, as it only serves to market hair products."
Jasmin M
"Our group was lucky to arrive around a week before the harvest took place, my husband and I absolutely loved the rice terraces, they are absolutely beautiful and picture perfect. The particular area is also known as the ‘Dragon’s Spine Rice Terraces’ due to their undulating form. All of the locals working in the area were friendly as we passed by a number of different shops / street vendors as we made our way around the terraces. Be sure to watch your step, there are lots of animals around the paths including frogs, huge spiders and colourful caterpillars. The bamboo growing in the area is also great to look at. The buggy ride up is very bumpy and the bus rides down very speedy so hold on to your stomach. This is a must see area when you are visiting and staying in Guilin and you won’t regret coming here for the views and picture opportunities."
Jamie Higgs-Dey
"Visited in Late August. Great conditions for the rice fields, but humid. Consider it at least half a day for travel and sightseeing if staying in Guilin. There are amenities throughout the fields"
Cantona Borg
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
The most common way is by tour bus, which takes about 3 hours. Some visitors opt for private transfers for more flexibility. You can also find local buses, but they might be less direct.
Yes, there are hiking trails connecting different viewpoints like West Hill Music Viewpoint and Golden Buddha Peak. However, direct routes might not always be obvious on maps, so it's good to ask locals or use a reliable navigation app.
Within the terraces, you'll mostly walk on steps and paths. For easier access to higher viewpoints, the cable car is highly recommended. Buggy rides are also available in some areas, though they can be bumpy!
Yes, it's possible to visit as a day trip, but it will be a long day with about 3 hours of travel each way. You'll need to be efficient with your time to see the main sights.
While tour buses are common, there are also local buses that go towards the Longji area. However, these might require transfers and can be less convenient than organized tours or private transport.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Yes, there is an entrance fee to access the Longji Rice Terraces scenic area. It's advisable to purchase tickets upon arrival or through your tour operator.
The terraces are generally accessible year-round during daylight hours. Specific attractions like the cable car may have their own operating times, so it's best to check locally.
Ticket prices can vary, but expect to pay a fee for entry into the scenic area. Additional costs may apply for the cable car or other optional activities.
While some tour operators might offer online booking, direct online ticket purchases for the terraces themselves might be limited. It's often easiest to buy them upon arrival or through your tour.
Information on discounts can vary. It's recommended to inquire at the ticket counter upon arrival or check with your tour provider for any available concessions.
🎫 🏞️ Onsite Experience
For lush green terraces, visit from late spring to early summer. The 'golden season' before harvest (around September) offers a stunning golden hue. February can be cold but offers a different, stark beauty.
Key viewpoints include West Hill Music Viewpoint, Golden Buddha Peak, and the areas accessible by the cable car. Each offers a unique perspective of the vast, sculpted landscape.
Yes, there are restaurants and shops scattered throughout the villages and along the main paths, offering local food and souvenirs.
Keep an eye out for local farm animals, frogs, colorful caterpillars, and potentially large spiders in the bamboo groves.
The terraces involve many steps and uneven terrain, which can be challenging for those with significant mobility issues. The cable car can help access some viewpoints, but extensive walking is often required.
📸 📸 Photography
The cable car offers incredible panoramic shots. For ground-level views, explore the paths between villages and look for unique angles of the terraces, especially during sunrise or sunset.
Early morning and late afternoon offer the most dramatic lighting, with softer shadows and warmer tones. Golden hour can be particularly magical.
A wide-angle lens is great for capturing the vastness of the terraces. A telephoto lens can be useful for details or wildlife. Don't forget a sturdy tripod if you plan for long exposures or low-light shots.
Drone regulations can change, and it's best to check locally. Some areas might have restrictions, especially near villages or cultural sites.
The vibrant green of spring/summer and the golden hues of autumn are highly photogenic. Even the starkness of winter can offer unique photographic opportunities.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
Consider bringing snacks and plenty of water, as amenities can be spread out. The Red Yao villages offer a glimpse into a different way of life, and the opportunity to see traditional crafts might be interesting for older children. Keep an eye on little ones on the steps and be mindful of the bumpy buggy rides if you choose that option.
📸 Photographers' Paradise
Don't miss the opportunity to photograph the Red Yao women and their traditional attire, a unique cultural element. Experiment with different lenses – a wide-angle for expansive shots and a telephoto for details or portraits. Be prepared for varying light conditions and consider bringing a tripod for sharper images, especially in lower light.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The Dragon's Spine: A Living Landscape
The terraces are particularly stunning during the planting and harvesting seasons. In spring and early summer, they are filled with vibrant green water, reflecting the sky and surrounding mountains like a mirror. By autumn, the rice ripens, transforming the landscape into a sea of golden waves. This dynamic beauty changes with the seasons, offering a unique visual experience year-round.
Beyond the visual spectacle, the terraces are home to the Red Yao minority, a distinct ethnic group known for their long hair and traditional customs. Visiting the villages within the terraces offers a glimpse into their unique culture and way of life. You can often see women with their famously long hair, a symbol of their heritage.
Navigating the Terraces: Tips for a Smooth Visit
Once you are within the scenic area, be prepared for a lot of walking on steps and uneven paths. Comfortable footwear is essential. The paths wind through the terraces and villages, offering numerous opportunities to interact with locals and purchase souvenirs, such as the distinctive silver jewelry of the Yao minority. Amenities like restaurants and small shops are available, so you can find refreshments and local snacks during your exploration.
Consider the time of year for your visit. Mid-September can be very hot and humid, while the period just before harvest offers a beautiful golden landscape. The terraces are a living landscape, and their appearance changes dramatically with the seasons, offering a different, yet equally captivating, experience each time.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit