Longji Rice Terraces Weekend Trip

Longji Rice Terraces are perfect for a weekend getaway. Some people love the green terraces, some prefer the yellow ones, but I personally enjoy the water-filled terraces. We specifically chose a guesthouse with a terrace view of the rice fields, so we could admire the terraces from our balcony. At night, we could hear the croaking of frogs and chirping of crickets, which was quite interesting. The next day, the guesthouse owner drove us to the cable car station, and we took the cable car to a viewing platform to appreciate the terraces from a different angle. There are several viewing platforms at Longji Rice Terraces, but only one is accessible by cable car; the others require hiking, which we skipped due to the heat. Longji Rice Terraces are vast, divided into three main areas. One area is popular with tour groups and sometimes features evening performances and light shows, making it quite lively. It's said to have some nice hotels. The second area is mainly for independent travelers, less crowded, with mostly guesthouses ranging from budget to luxury, though those with better views tend to be more expensive. The third area is still under development. Our guesthouse provided breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Breakfast included the famous rice noodles. For lunch and dinner, you could order dishes. Most guesthouses know how to cook bamboo chicken, chicken soup, and tomato fish. However, be cautious with freshwater fish as they have many bones. Guesthouses usually offer sweet homemade rice wine. The terraces are filled with water in May and June, but it's best to call the guesthouse before your trip to confirm the exact timing, as it depends on the weather. 🗓️ Itinerary: Take the high-speed train to Guilin West Station, then a taxi to the Longji Rice Terraces parking lot, which takes about an hour and a half. Arrange with the guesthouse in advance to pick you up at the parking lot; otherwise, finding the guesthouse on the mountain roads with your luggage can be troublesome. For the return trip, have the guesthouse take you to the parking lot, then either pre-arrange with the taxi driver to take you back to Guilin West Station or find a taxi at the parking lot to take you there.