Longji rice terraces day trip

A full day into the mountains north of Guilin to the Dragon's Backbone terraces. The drive is about 2.5 hours each way — long, but the driver stays with the car while you walk, so you set your own pace.

Private car from $167 per car

✓ 8-9 hours · 2.5h each way ✓ Driver waits for you ✓ Free cancellation up to 7 days

Price by vehicle

Per car for the whole day. Driver, fuel, tolls and parking included.

5-seat sedan

1–3 passengers

$167

CNY 1,100

Most booked

7-seat MPV

4–6 passengers

$189

CNY 1,250

11–14 seat van

7–10 passengers

$303

CNY 2,000

The driver stays with the vehicle for the whole day while you walk, eat and take photos. The hours in the price are door-to-door service time, not driving time — you are not charged extra for the hours you spend on foot.

How the day runs

08:00

Collected from your Guilin hotel

An early start is worth it — you get to the terraces before the tour buses.

10:30

Arrive at the terraces

Usually Ping'an village, which has the classic viewpoint and is the easier walk. Dazhai / Jinkeng is an alternative with bigger terraces but steeper paths.

Midday

Walk the terraces at your own pace

Two to three hours is typical. The driver stays with the vehicle at the car park — you are not paying him to walk with you, and you are not rushed.

Afternoon

Lunch in the village

Village restaurants serve local Zhuang and Yao food. Bamboo rice cooked inside the bamboo is the thing to try.

15:00

Drive back to Guilin

Back at your hotel around 17:00-17:30.

Before you go

Wear shoes with grip — the stone paths are steep and slippery when wet.
There is a shuttle bus from the car park to the village, charged separately.
The terraces are flooded and mirror-like from April to June, green in summer, golden in September-October.
If you have knee trouble, choose Ping'an — Dazhai involves considerably more climbing.

What is included

Included

Private car and professional driver for the day
Fuel, tolls and parking
Hotel pickup and drop-off in Guilin
Driver waits at each stop — no rushing
Air-conditioned vehicle
Bottled water in the car

Not included

Attraction entrance tickets
Cable car or shuttle bus fees
Meals and drinks
Guide service inside attractions
Travel insurance

Questions

How hard is the walking?

Moderate. Ping'an has a paved but steep path from the car park up to the village, roughly 20-30 minutes uphill, and then gentle paths along the terraces. Dazhai / Jinkeng is steeper. If mobility is a concern, tell us and we will plan around Ping'an with the shuttle bus.

Is the entrance ticket included?

No. The terraces charge an entrance fee, and there is a separate shuttle bus from the car park to the village. Both are paid on site. The car price covers the vehicle, driver, fuel, tolls and parking.

When is the best time to go?

April to June when the terraces are flooded and reflect the sky; June to August for deep green; mid-September to late October for gold before the harvest. Winter is quiet and often misty but the terraces are bare.

Can we visit both Ping'an and Dazhai in one day?

It is possible but rushed — they are on different roads and each needs two to three hours. We would suggest picking one and doing it properly.

What is the drive like?

About 2.5 hours each way, the last hour of it climbing a winding mountain road. If anyone in your group gets car sick, sit in the front and mention it to the driver.

Can we combine this with Sanjiang or the Wind and Rain Bridge?

Yes, as a two-day trip. Sanjiang is further north and one day is not enough for both. Tell us and we will quote a two-day route.

Other day trips

Tell us your dates — we'll quote within 2 hours

Fixed price confirmed in writing before you travel. A deposit holds the vehicle; the balance is paid at the end of the service.

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