About This Experience

The Longsheng Rice Terraces, also known as the Longji (Dragon's Backbone) Terraces, are a masterpiece of agricultural engineering. Carved into the mountainsides over 700 years ago by the Zhuang and Yao ethnic minorities, the terraces cascade from river valleys to mountaintops at elevations of 300 to 1,100 metres.

What to Expect

The terraces change dramatically with the seasons — flooded and mirror-like in spring, lush green in summer, golden in autumn, and frost-covered in winter. Walking between the villages of Ping'an and Dazhai, you'll encounter traditional wooden stilt houses, friendly locals in traditional dress, and panoramic viewpoints that reveal the full scale of these extraordinary landscapes.

Practical Tips

• Allow about 2.5 hours to reach the terraces by bus from Guilin
• The best viewpoints require uphill hikes of 30–60 minutes
• Wear sturdy shoes — the paths can be steep and slippery
• Spring (April–May) and autumn (September–October) offer the most photogenic conditions
• Local guesthouses offer overnight stays for sunset and sunrise views