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Where is Longji Rice Terraces Located from Guilin? 2 Best Ways from Guilin to Longji Compared
Longji sits about 80 km northwest of Guilin. Depending on how you choose to tackle the mountain roads, the trip usually takes between 1.5h to 2.5h.
You can opt for a seamless private drive or hop on the official scenic shuttle. Here is how the 2 most popular methods stack up:
| Comparison | AOT Private Ride (In-Tour) | Shuttle Bus |
| Distance | About 80 km | About 80 km |
| Cost (One-way) | Included in tour | ¥50–65 |
| Travel Time | 1.5h | 2.5h to 2h45m |
| Departure | Hotel | Guilin / Guilin North / Guilin West Station |
| Arrival | Hotel | Jinkeng Village |
| Seating | ★★★★★ Business Class | ★★★★☆ Wide Bus Seats |
| Flexibility | ★★★★★ Stop whenever | ★★☆☆☆ Fixed Schedule |
| Safety | ★★★★★ Professional Fleet | ★★★★★ Official Team |
#1. Asia Odyssey Travel's Private Ride vs. Taxi from Guilin to Longji (1.5h): The Hassle-Free Option
Our 2-day Guilin to Longji tour is all about taking the stress out of the mountain roads.
We combine comfy private rides with an authentic overnight stay in Ping'an Village, making it the smoothest way for families or groups to explore.
When you book with us, you aren't just getting a driver; you're getting a seamless mountain experience:
✔ A Fleet for Every Group: From 5-seater sedans and 7-9 seater business vans to 38-seater motorcoaches, we have the perfect ride for your headcount.
✔ Door-to-Door Service: We pick you up at your Guilin hotel and drop you right at the entrance of your mountain lodge—no lugging suitcases between bus transfers.
✔ Expert Local Knowledge: Our drivers know the winding mountain passes like the back of their hands, ensuring a safe and steady climb.
✔ Ready-Made Itineraries: We've already mapped out the best flow so you don't miss a thing.
Day 1: Guilin → Huangluo Yao Village (Long Hair Village) → Ping'an Village (Lunch) → Afternoon Hiking → Overnight in Ping'an.
Day 2: Sunrise at "Seven Stars Accompany the Moon" → 4-5 hour hike to Jinkeng → Jinkeng Dazhai Village → Private transfer back to Guilin.
2 Days Longji Rice Terraces Hiking with Zhuang & Yao Minority Culture Tour
Guilin - Longji Rice Terrace - Ping’an Village - Dazhai Village - Guilin
2 Days
5 PlacesWhy We Recommend Private Rides Over Taxis
While you can easily find a taxi from Guilin to Longji at the airport, train station or city center, the return journey is a different story!
Finding a taxi or a Didi that is willing to drive up into the mountains to pick you up for the trip back to Guilin is nearly impossible.
| Comparison | Asia Odyssey Private Ride | Taxi / Didi (Ride-Hailing) |
| Round-Trip | Guaranteed & Waiting for you | One-way only; return not ensured |
| Seating | ★★★★★ Wide Business Seats | ★★★☆☆ Standard Sedan |
| Luggage | ★★★★★ Large dedicated space | ★★★☆☆ Cramped trunk space |
| Reliability | ★★★★★ Professional Tour Fleet | ★★★☆☆ Random vehicle quality |
#2. Direct Scenic Shuttle from Guilin to Longji Rice Terraces (2.5h to 2h45m): The Easiest Way
If you aren't booking a private tour, the 2.5h to 2h45m Tourist Shuttle from Guilin to Longji is your best bet.
It's a one-stop connection that avoids the headache of navigating local city bus stations and multiple transfers.
These buses are specifically designed for the mountain roads. They are typically 19 to 36-seater tourist coaches with large windows, air conditioning, and—most importantly—plenty of space.
| Feature | Details |
| Departures | Guilin Station, Guilin North, or Guilin West |
| Arrival | Jinkeng Dazhai Parking (Right by the cable car station) |
| Frequency (Outbound) | 8:00, 9:30, 10:55, 12:00, 13:30, 15:00 |
| Frequency (Return) | 9:00, 10:30, 12:00, 13:30, 14:30, 16:00 |
| Travel Time | 2.5h (from Guilin Station) / 2h45m (from North or West) |
| Cost | ¥50 (from Guilin Station) / ¥65 (from North or West) |
I always recommend the Tourist Shuttle over the regular city bus (from Qintan to Longsheng).
The shuttle is built for comfort with adjustable seats and a dedicated luggage bay below, so your 28-inch suitcase won't be taking up your legroom!
Finding Your Boarding Point
Guilin Station: Look for the boarding point in front of the Jinjiang Inn (Full Seasons Hotel), just a short walk from the station exit.
Guilin North: Head to the No. 1 Tourist Bus Parking Lot on the east side of the station square.
Guilin West: Go to the Tourist Distribution Center parking lot right in front of the station.
- Although the bus is headed for Dazhai, you can ask the driver to drop you off at the Ping'an Village intersection. From there, you can catch a quick local shuttle into the heart of the village.
- There are also shuttle buses that depart from Yangshuo. If you want to connect Guiling's two best - water and moutain in one go, take the 4-hour shuttle from Yangshuo to Longji.
An Important Reminder for Booking Bus Tickets from Guilin to Longji
The Direct Scenic Shuttle from Guilin is managed through a specific WeChat mini-program ("Guilin Longji Rice Terraces Tourist Fleet"). Since the interface is only in Chinese and requires a local setup, it can be tricky!
Your best bet is to ask your hotel front desk or a travel agency in Guilin to book it for you 1–2 days in advance.
They might charge a small service fee (usually ¥5–¥10), but it's worth it to secure your seat!
How to Get Around the Longji Rice Terraces Scenic Area?
Once you pass the main gate and pay your 80 RMB entry fee, the real fun begins. This is a 3-day pass that covers all 3 major areas.
The Longji Rice Terraces area are huge, so you'll need a mix of shuttles, cable cars, and your own two feet to see it all!
Understand the Layout of the Longji Rice Terraces Scenic Area
The scenic area is split into 3 independent villages.
There are NO direct buses between the villages themselves. Instead, everything connects back through a central hub called the Erlong Bridge (二龙桥) intersection.
- Jinkeng Dazhai (Red Yao): The largest and most dramatic area. It's the top choice for photographers and home to the cable car.
- Ping'an (Zhuang): The most developed area with famous views like "Seven Stars Accompany the Moon." It's very easy to walk.
- Ancient Zhuang Village: The quietest and most traditional spot. Perfect if you want to avoid the crowds.
| Area (Village) | Highlights | Distance from Gate | Star Rating |
| Jinkeng Dazhai (金坑大寨) | Golden Buddha Peak, Cable Car | 23 km | ★★★★★ |
| Ping'an (平安寨) | Seven Stars Accompany the Moon, Nine Dragons & Five Tigers | 17 km | ★★★★☆ |
| Ancient Zhuang (古壮寨) | Traditional Architecture | 9 km | ★★★★☆ |
Option A. Internal Sightseeing Bus (The Essential Connector)
These sightseeing buses are for getting around INSIDE each specific village! They save you from trekking up the steep mountain roads with your gear.
| Route | Main Stops | Cost | Frequency |
| Jinkeng Dazhai | Parking ↔ Tiantou Village (田头寨) ↔ Viewpoint 1: Thousand Layer Terraces (千层天梯) ↔ Viewpoint 2 (西山韶乐) ↔ Viewpoint 3: Cable Car (金佛顶) | ¥40 | Loop (Hail to stop) |
| Ping'an | Parking ↔ Village Entrance ↔ Nine Dragons & Five Tigers (九龙五虎) ↔ Seven Stars Accompany the Moon (七星伴月) | ¥30 | Every 20 mins |
| Ancient Zhuang | Parking ↔ Village Gate ↔ Terrace Viewpoint | ¥20 | Every 30 mins |
Operating Hours:
- Peak (April–Oct): 7:00–18:00 (Every 20–30 mins).
- Off-Peak (Nov–March): 7:30–17:30 (Every 30–60 mins).
All sightseeing bus tickets are valid for 3 days. The Cross-Zone Pass costs ¥50 (Unlimited access to all 3 areas—best value!).
Option B. Jinkeng Cable Car (The Lazy Panorama)
If you want the best views in Jinkeng Village without the heavy legwork, the cable car is a total game-changer.
It takes you straight to Golden Buddha Peak (Viewpoint 3), the highest and most spectacular spot in Jinkeng. The 15-minute ride floats right over the "Thousand Layer Terraces (千层天梯)."
| Route | Cost | Operating Hours |
| Lower Station ↔ Golden Buddha Peak | ¥55 (One-way) / ¥100 (Round-trip) | 8:00–17:00 |
Ticket sales close at 16:30. If you're hunting for that perfect sunset, make sure you're at the summit at least 1 hour before the sun dips.
Option C. Hiking the Trails
Walking through the rice paddies is the BEST way to feel the mountain air. Most paths are paved with local stones and wind past ancient wooden houses.
Whether you want a quick stroll or a half-day trek, there's a trail for you.
- Jinkeng Dazhai (Full Day)
The Easy Loop (3 Hours): Bus to Tiantou Village, walk to Viewpoint 2, then a 20-minute hike to Viewpoint 1. Hop back on the bus to the cable car station and ride up to Golden Buddha Peak.
The Budget Trek (4 Hours): Follow the same route to Viewpoint 1, but skip the cable car. It's a 40-minute uphill hike to the summit—it's a workout, but the views are free!
- Ping'an Village (2 Hours)
This is a classic, manageable route for almost anyone.
Take the internal bus to the top, then enjoy a steady 15-minute walk between the two famous peaks. You'll hit Nine Dragons and Five Tigers and Seven Stars Accompany the Moon with ease.
- Ancient Zhuang Village (1.5 Hours)
This is the most peaceful walk in the area.
Simply follow the stone path from the parking lot through the old village to the Terrace Viewpoint. It's a quiet out-and-back trail that feels like stepping back in time.
Moving Between Jinkeng, Ping'an & Ancient Zhuang Villages
Moving between the 3 villages is where most travelers get confused! Since there are NO direct sightseeing buses between the areas, everything meets at a central junction called Erlong Bridge (二龙桥).
Think of it as the "main intersection" between the park gate and the villages. If you aren't hiking, you'll likely spend some time here waiting for local shuttles.
| Route | Transfer Method | Time | Cost | Frequency |
| Jinkeng ↔ Ping'an | Change at Erlong Bridge | 1.5h | ¥25 | Every 1–2 hours |
| Ping'an ↔ Ancient Zhuang | Local Bus or Hiking | 40m–1h | ¥20 | Every 1 hour |
| Jinkeng ↔ Ancient Zhuang | Change at Erlong Bridge | 2h | ¥35 | Low |
Moving between villages can be a headache because of the long wait times for local buses.
This is where Asia Odyssey Travel really helps—our private cars take you directly between villages so you don't waste your day at a bus stop.
Don't try to see all three in one day! Sticking to Jinkeng + Ping'an is the perfect way to see the best of Longji without the stress.
The Best Travel Plan from Guilin to Longji Rice Terraces: A Day Trip vs. Overnight Stay
Deciding whether to zoom through in a day or linger overnight is the biggest choice you'll make. Both are great, but they offer different vibes of mountain life.
If you are tight on time, a day trip from Guilin to Longji Rice Terraces hits the highlights.
But if you want to see the terraces glowing at sunrise without a soul around, staying the night is a total win.
A Day Trip between Guilin and Longji
This plan is perfect for travelers with a packed schedule who still want that iconic photo. You'll leave Guilin after breakfast and be back in time for a late dinner in the city.
| Time | Activity |
| 8:30 | Leave hotel for a scenic 1.5-hour drive from Guilin to Longji (80km) |
| 10:30 | Visit Huangluo Yao Village (黄洛红瑶村) to see the "Long Hair" performance |
| 12:00 | Lunch in Ping'an: Try the Bamboo Rice and smoked bacon |
| 13:30 | Hike to "Nine Dragons and Five Tigers" & "Seven Stars Accompany the Moon" |
| 16:30 | Head back to Guilin |
An Overnight Stay in Longji Rice Terraces Scenic Area
This is best for hikers, photographers, and anyone who wants to actually relax. You get to see the villages after the day-trippers leave, which is when the magic really happens.
| Day | Plan | What to Do |
| 1 | Guilin to Longji | Explore Huangluo Yao Village, lunch in Ping'an, and a sunset hike. Stay overnight in Ping'an. |
| 2 | Longsheng to Guilin | Catch the "Seven Stars" sunrise. Hike 4–5 hours from Ping'an to Jinkeng Dazhai. Lunch and return to Guilin. |
2 Days Longji Rice Terraces Hiking with Zhuang & Yao Minority Culture Tour
Guilin - Longji Rice Terrace - Ping’an Village - Dazhai Village - Guilin
Connect Your Guilin to Longsheng Rice Terraces Adventure with Yangshuo
If you have a few more days, don't just go back to Guilin—head straight to the river! This 4-day loop is the smartest way to see the best of Guangxi without backtracking.
| Day | Route | Highlights |
| 1 | Arrival | Pick-up at Guilin airport and check into your downtown hotel. |
| 2 | Longji Tour | Head to the mountains for a day of hiking and minority culture. |
| 3 | Guilin to Yangshuo | Take the Li River Cruise and explore the Yangshuo countryside. |
| 4 | Yangshuo to Guilin | Visit Elephant Trunk Hill and Reed Flute Cave before your flight. |
4 Days Guilin Yangshuo & Longji Rice Terraces Classic Tour
Guilin - Longji - Yangshuo - Guilin
From Guilin to Longji, Travel Smarter with Asia Odyssey Travel
Navigating mountain roads should be the least of your worries.
Based in the heart of the city at He Ping Plaza, our Guilin team brings over 10 years of local expertise to your journey.
We specialize in seamless, in-depth adventures—from Guilin and Yangshuo highlights to rugged Longji Rice Terraces treks.
Whether you're visiting from Singapore, Malaysia, or beyond, we handle the logistics and local transfers. Let us connect your Guangxi story to Zhangjiajie or Guizhou with ease.
Ready to see the terraces? We've got the ride covered.
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