01City Guide
Longji Rice Terraces
龙脊梯田
All Ages
Admission
Adult entrance ticket is usually CNY 80; scenic shuttle, Jinkeng cable car, and Huangluo performance cost separately.
Typical Visit
1 full day for one main area; 2 days for two areas
Quick Facts
Ticket
Included with the Longji Rice Terraces entrance ticket, usually CNY 80; Jinkeng cable car is usually CNY 55 one-way or CNY 100 round trip.
Hours
Terrace villages are open outdoor areas; cable car and local transport run separate daily schedules, so check times before going uphill.
Transport
No metro. From Guilin, use a tourist bus or hired car to Longji, then continue to the Jinkeng Dazhai area.
Duration
Half day for Golden Buddha Peak; 1-2 days for multiple viewpoints
Best Time
Apr-Jun for flooded fields; Sep-Oct for golden harvest views
Visitors
All ages
How to Visit
1
Decide between cable car and walking
Jinkeng Dazhai is the best Longji area for big, open terrace views. After reaching the Dazhai parking area, decide whether to take the cable car to Golden Buddha Peak or walk into the terraces and villages.
Tip:This decision shapes the whole route, because the main viewpoints are spread out.
2
Use the cable car for the easiest panorama
For the easiest panorama, take the Jinkeng cable car to Golden Buddha Peak. The round-trip cable car ticket is usually CNY 100.
Tip:One-way pricing can change by ticket channel or season, so check when buying.
3
Remember that Jinkeng has several viewpoints
Taking the cable car does not mean you have covered all of Jinkeng. Golden Buddha Peak is Viewpoint No. 3. Thousand-Layer Terraces and Xishan Shaole are separate viewpoints.
Tip:Those viewpoints need walking, local transport, or a separate route.
4
Choose your one-day route carefully
If you only have one day, choose carefully between Golden Buddha Peak and Thousand-Layer Terraces instead of trying to squeeze in all three viewpoints.
Tip:Golden Buddha Peak is easier for sunset; Xishan Shaole is better if you stay nearby for sunrise.
5
Stay overnight for sunrise and sunset
If you stay overnight, see sunset at Golden Buddha Peak, watch sunrise near Xishan Shaole the next morning, then walk Thousand-Layer Terraces later in the morning.
Tip:This gives Jinkeng more value than a rushed day trip.
Highlights
- Jinkeng Dazhai has the strongest sense of scale in Longji, with wide valleys, villages, and layered terraces.
- Golden Buddha Peak is the easiest place for a sweeping view, and the cable car itself gives an aerial look over the fields.
- Xishan Shaole is good for sunrise, but it works best if you stay nearby or arrange very early transport.
- Thousand-Layer Terraces has dense terrace lines and is better for slower walking and close-up layers.
- Red Yao villages, mountain guesthouses, and terrace paths make this area better for a 1-2 day stay.
Insider Tips
✦The cable car only helps with Golden Buddha Peak. Before buying a ticket, be clear which viewpoint you actually want.
✦Jinkeng is more spread out than Ping'an. The viewpoints are not connected by simple flat paths, so reduce the route if traveling with children or older visitors.
✦Rain and heavy fog can seriously reduce the view, even after you take the cable car up.
✦There are many guesthouses and restaurants in the mountains, but rooms with good views sell out quickly in peak seasons.
✦On a same-day return from Guilin, your return transport matters more than adding one extra viewpoint. The mountain road is not ideal for rushing after dark.
More Longsheng Attractions
02City Guide
Ping'an Zhuang Village
平安壮寨
All Ages
Admission
Included with the Longji Rice Terraces entrance ticket, usually CNY 80; local shuttles or parking may cost separately.
Typical Visit
3-5 hours; longer with an overnight stay
03City Guide
Huangluo Red Yao Village
黄洛红瑶寨
All Ages
Admission
Longji scenic-area entrance ticket is usually CNY 80; Huangluo folk performance is extra and usually around CNY 80.
Typical Visit
1-2 hours without performance; 2-3 hours with show or meal
04City Guide
Longji Ancient Zhuang Village
龙脊古壮寨
All Ages
Admission
Included with the Longji Rice Terraces entrance ticket, usually CNY 80; parking or local transfers may cost separately.
Typical Visit
1-2 hours; 2-3 hours for slow walking and photos
05City Guide
Nine Dragons and Five Tigers Viewpoint
九龙五虎观景台
All Ages
Admission
Included with the Longji Rice Terraces entrance ticket, usually CNY 80; Ping'an sightseeing car costs separately.
Typical Visit
1-2 hours; 3-5 hours with Seven Stars with Moon
06City Guide
Seven Stars with Moon Viewpoint
七星伴月观景台
All Ages
Admission
Included with the Longji Rice Terraces entrance ticket, usually CNY 80; Ping'an sightseeing car costs separately if used.
Typical Visit
1-2 hours; 3-5 hours with Nine Dragons and Five Tigers