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Yangshuo to Longji Rice Terraces: 2h Private Ride vs. 4h Bus 2026

Guangxi is all about the perfect balance between water and mountains.

After you've drifted down the Li River, the next logical step is heading from Yangshuo to Longji Rice Terraces to see the high-altitude wonders of Longsheng.

Getting from Yangshuo to Longji is a scenic 140-160 km climb into the clouds.

While the direct tourist bus is a great budget pick, it typically takes 4 hours with local stops. If you're short on time, an Asia Odyssey Travel private ride zips you there in just 2 hours flat.

Stick around to the end of this Yangshuo to Longsheng transport guide for the full breakdown.

I'll show you exactly how to get around the villages and the best way to flow your trip so you don't miss a single sunset.

Key Takeaways

  • The trip from Yangshuo to Longji Rice Terraces is about 150 km. Depending on your transport, it takes between 2 and 4 hours.
  • A private car is the fastest and most flexible option, zipping you there in just 2 hours flat.
  • The Direct Scenic Shuttle is a great ¥90 alternative for solo travelers, though it takes about 4 hours due to extra stops.
  • Don't rush a day trip if you can avoid it. Staying overnight lets you see the morning mist and sunrise, making the long drive totally worth it.

Content Preview

  • triangleThe Yangshuo to Longsheng Distance & 2 Best Ways to Get There
  • triangle#1. Direct Tourist Bus from Yangshuo to Longji Rice Terraces (4h)
  • triangle#2. Asia Odyssey Private Ride from Yangshuo to Longji Rice Terraces (2h)
  • triangleHow to Get Around the Longji Rice Terraces Scenic Area?
  • triangleThe Best Flow for a Trip from Yangshuo to Longji: Guilin - Longji - Yangshuo - Guilin
  • trianglePick Asia Odyssey Travel, the Best Yangshuo to Longji Transfer Offered

The Yangshuo to Longsheng Distance & 2 Best Ways to Get There

Longji Rice Terrace
Longji Rice Terrace

Longji sits northwest of Yangshuo, about 150 km away. It's a beautiful drive that takes you from the jagged karst peaks to the deep, terraced mountains.

Depending on your ride, the trip from Yangshuo to Longji Rice Terraces usually takes between 2 and 4 hours. Our private cars zip there in about 2 hours, while the local shuttle takes a bit longer to navigate the stops.

Here is a quick look at how they compare:

Feature Asia Odyssey Private Ride Direct Scenic Shuttle
Distance 140 km 160 km
Travel Time 2 Hours 4 Hours
Cost Included in tour ¥90 per person
Booking Easy (Via us!) Hotel or Travel Agency
Departure Your Hotel Door Yangshuo Park Gate
Arrival Your Village Hotel Dazhai Parking Lot
Seating Private & Spacious Shared Coach
Flexibility High (Stop for photos!) Fixed schedule
How to Pick Your Way

The private ride is the way to go if you want to skip the bus stops and head straight to the views.

If you're traveling solo and don't mind a slower pace, the shuttle is a great budget-friendly pick.

#1. Direct Tourist Bus from Yangshuo to Longji Rice Terraces (4h)

Bus to Longji Rice Terraces
Bus to Longji Rice Terraces

The direct bus from Yangshuo to Longji is a solid choice for solo travelers or those keeping an eye on their budget.

It's a straightforward 160 km shot that takes about 4 hours to complete.

The bus typically picks up near Bilian Cave (碧莲洞) or the Yangshuo Park West Gate (阳朔公园), which is a relaxed 20-minute stroll from West Street.

Quick Tip: On the way, the bus stops near the Guilin train stations to pick up more travelers. If you are starting your journey from Guilin instead, check out our guide on the Guilin to Longji Rice Terraces >>

Your destination is the Jinkeng Dazhai Parking Lot (金坑大寨停车场), putting you exactly where you need to be to start your terrace adventure.

Route Departure Times Cost Travel Time
Yangshuo → Dazhai 8:00, 9:30, 13:30 ¥90 4 Hours
Dazhai → Yangshuo 9:00, 13:30, 14:30 ¥90 4 Hours
Important Reminder of Ticket Booking

You WON'T find these tickets at the Yangshuo Bus Terminal. They are only sold through the "Guilin Longji Rice Terraces Tourist Fleet" on WeChat.

Since the system is only in Chinese, have your hotel front desk or a West Street travel agency book it 1–2 days early.

They might charge a small ¥5–¥10 fee, but it is the easiest way to secure your seat.

#2. Asia Odyssey Private Ride from Yangshuo to Longji Rice Terraces (2h)

Asia Odyssey Travel's Private Ride in Guilin
Asia Odyssey Travel's Private Ride in Guilin

If you want to skip the bus stops and the long wait times, our private ride is the way to go. It is a total game-changer for families or groups who want to maximize their time in the mountains.

The trip from Yangshuo to Longsheng takes just 2 hours flat, door-to-door. You'll have an experienced local driver while you relax in our air-conditioned vehicle.

Why travel with us?

A Fleet for Every Group: We have the perfect ride for your headcount, from 5-seater sedans and 7-seater business vans to 38-seater motorcoaches.

Ready-to-Go Itineraries: We've already mapped out the best flow so you don't miss a thing. Our favorite loop is Guilin - Longji - Yangshuo - Guilin, which keeps your travel time down and your sightseeing time up.

Door-to-Door Comfort: Skip the 20-minute walk to the bus gate with your suitcases. We pick you up right at your Yangshuo hotel and drop you at the entrance of your village stay.

Expert Local Guides: Our guides don't just show you the way; they bridge the gap. They'll help you chat with local Yao villagers and find the "secret" viewpoints the big tour buses miss.

How to Get Around the Longji Rice Terraces Scenic Area?

Getting around the terraces is part of the adventure, but it takes a little strategy.

nce you pay your 80 RMB entry fee (keep the ticket—it's a 3-day pass!), you'll find that the area is much larger than it looks on a map.

The Longji Rice Terraces Area is made of 3 major villages that aren't directly connected by a main road.

Instead, they all branch out from a central point called the Erlong Bridge (二龙桥) intersection. To see everything, you'll use a mix of local shuttles, a cable car, and your own two feet.

The Three Villages of Longji

Longji Rice Terrace - Dazhai
Longji Rice Terrace - Dazhai

Each village has a unique personality and its own minority culture. Most travelers pick one to stay in and visit the others as day trips.

Jinkeng Dazhai (金坑大寨): Home to the Red Yao people. This is the biggest area with the most dramatic, "grand" views and the only cable car in the park.

Ping'an (平安寨): Home to the Zhuang people. It's the most famous and developed spot, featuring the iconic "Seven Stars Accompany the Moon" viewpoint.

Ancient Zhuang Village (古壮寨): The quietest of the three. It's less about "massive" views and more about well-preserved wooden architecture and peaceful stone paths.

Village Top Highlights Distance from Gate
Jinkeng Dazhai Golden Buddha Peak & Cable Car 23 km
Ping'an Nine Dragons & Five Tigers 17 km
Ancient Zhuang Traditional Stilt Houses 9 km

Getting Around: Shuttles & Cable Cars

Longji Rice Terrace - Dazhai Cable Car
Longji Rice Terrace - Dazhai Cable Car

Since the villages are carved into steep mountains, local Internal Sightseeing Buses do the heavy lifting of getting you from the parking lots to the higher viewpoints.

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
  • In Jinkeng, a ¥40 shuttle loop connects the parking lot to Tiantou Village (田头寨) and the main viewpoints.
  • Ping'an offers a similar ¥30 shuttle to get you up to the famous peaks.
  • The Ancient Zhuang has a ¥20 shuttle to get you to the Terrace Viewpoint.

For the ultimate "lazy" view, the Jinkeng Cable Car is a must!

It floats you over the Thousand Layer Terraces (千层天梯) and drops you at the highest point, Golden Buddha Peak (金佛顶), in just 15 minutes. It costs ¥55 one-way or ¥100 round-trip, but the panoramic photos from the top are priceless.

Your Money Savor

If you plan to explore all 3 areas, the ¥50 Cross-Zone Pass is the best deal, offering unlimited shuttle rides for 3 days.

Exploring on Foot: Hiking the Terraces

Nothing beats the feeling of walking along the narrow stone paths through the rice paddies. It's the best way to see the local farmers at work and find your own quiet corner.

For the Photographer: Hike from the Jinkeng parking lot up to Viewpoint 1 (西山韶乐). It takes about 40 minutes of uphill walking, but you'll pass through stunning layers of green and gold.

For the Classic View: The walk between the two main viewpoints in Ping'an is relatively flat and takes only 20 minutes. It's the perfect "low-effort, high-reward" stroll.

For the Explorer: If you have 4–5 hours, you can actually hike from Ping'an to Jinkeng. It's a bit of a trek through the forest and fields, so consider hiring a local Yao woman to help carry your pack!

Longji Rice Terrace - Dazhai
Longji Rice Terrace - Dazhai

Connecting the Villages

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

The biggest mistake travelers make is assuming there are direct buses between the villages!

For example, if you want to go from Jinkeng to Ping'an, you must take a shuttle back down to Erlong Bridge and catch a different bus heading up.

This transfer can take over 1 hour because of the wait times!

Pro Tip

To avoid the hassle, many of our guests use our private cars to hop directly between villages, saving hours of waiting by the side of the road.

The Best Flow for a Trip from Yangshuo to Longji: Guilin - Longji - Yangshuo - Guilin

Bamboo raft on Yulong River
Bamboo raft on Yulong River

Planning the perfect adventure in Guangxi is all about ROUTE FLOW.

While Yangshuo is famous for its high-speed trains to southern hubs like Guangzhou and Shenzhen, most travelers from major cities like Beijing or Shanghai still fly into Guilin.

The most efficient route is the Guilin - Longji - Guiin - Yangshuo - Guilin loop. This flow keeps you moving forward without ever having to double back on the same road twice.

Here are some itinerary plans for you reference:

The Classic 4-Day Highlights Tour

This is our most popular route for first-timers! It hits the "big three" of Guangxi—Guiin city, Longsheng mountains, and Yangshuo river—at a relaxed, easygoing pace.

Day Destination What's the Plan?
1 Guilin Arrival and airport pick-up. Rest up at a downtown hotel.
2 Longji Drive to the mountains. Visit the Yao villages and hike Ping'an.
3 Yangshuo Take the Li River Cruise. Bike the countryside and hit West Street.
4 Departure See the famous Elephant Trunk Hill before heading to the airport.

4 Days Guilin Yangshuo & Longji Rice Terraces Classic Tour

Guilin - Longji - Yangshuo - Guilin

Guilin Yangshuo Longji 4 Days 4 Places View Detail

Related Article:How to Get from Guilin to Yangshuo: Distance & 5 Ways | 2026

Travel Idea

If you're a hiking fan, you can easily add an extra day in the mountains! On Day 3, instead of heading back to Guilin, trek from the high ridges of Longsheng down to the Dazhai Village valleys.

5 Days Guilin Yangshuo Longji Tour with Hiking in Longji Rice Terraces

Guilin - Longji Rice Terrace - Yangshuo - Guilin

Classic Exploration 5 Days 4 Places View Detail

The 5-Day "Nature & Culture" Deep Dive

If you want to dodge the crowds and find the secret viewpoints, this itinerary is for you. It's a bit more adventurous and focuses on the quiet side of the region.

Day Destination What's the Plan?
1 Longji Head straight from the airport to a mountain stay in Ping'an.
2 Huixian Explore hidden caves and catch a sunset over the wetlands.
3 Xingping Visit the ancient town and hike for a panoramic river view.
4 Yangshuo Bamboo rafting on the Yulong River and rural biking.
5 Departure One last local breakfast before we drop you at the station.

5 Days Guilin Family Tour: Kids-friendly Experience in Yangshuo, Longji & Xingping

Guilin - Longji - Huixian - Xingping - Yangshuo - Guilin

Family Friendly Tour 5 Days 6 Places View Detail

Related Article:Yangshuo to Xingping: 15m Bus vs. Pro-friendly 1h Private Ride

Pro Tip

For those arriving via high-speed train from Guangzhou or Shenzhen, you can flip this route easily.

Start with the Yangshuo to Longji Rice Terraces leg, then finish your trip in Guilin for your return flight. Just reach out, and we can customize this "reverse" loop for you!

Pick Asia Odyssey Travel, the Best Yangshuo to Longji Transfer Offered

Navigating the logistics between these three hubs can be a puzzle, but we've been solving it for over 10 years.

Our Guilin Office is located right at He Ping Plaza, putting us in the heart of the action to support your journey.

From Singapore, Malaysia, to Hong Kong, we've helped thousands of travelers find the best Yangshuo to Longji transfers.

Whether you want a private car or a full guided package to Guilin, Longji, Yangshuo, or even Zhangjiajie, we've got the local expertise to make it happen!

faq
Frequently Asked Questions
Expand All
How do I get to the Longji Rice Terraces? +
From Guilin, take a direct scenic shuttle from the train stations (2.5 hours) or a private car (1.5h). From Yangshuo, the direct bus takes 4 hours, while a private ride gets you there in just 2 hours.
How to get from Yangshuo to Longji Rice Terraces? +
The fastest way is a private car (2 hours). Otherwise, the direct scenic shuttle takes about 4 hours and departs 3 times a day.
When is the best time to visit Longji? +
Visit in May or June to see the terraces filled with water like mirrors. Late September is best for the golden harvest views.
What is the difference between Ping'an and Dazhai? +
Ping'an is the "classic" choice—developed, easy to walk, and famous. Dazhai is for photographers; it's larger, higher, and more rugged.
How long to spend at Longji? +
Since the trip from Yangshuo takes 2 to 4 hours each way, a day trip can feel rushed. Staying 2 days and 1 night is much better. It justifies the travel distance and lets you catch the sunrise over the terraces, which is the real magic of the mountains.
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Don't Stop Here: Our Best Guilin Travel Secrets

Travelers' Reviews
Janet & Yianni Kaleas
Janet & Yianni Kaleas
Australia
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This was a fantastic tour & Asia Odyssey is a great tour company. Runny in the office did a great job, kept us informed all the time and helped us when we wanted to make a chan... This was a fantastic tour & Asia Odyssey is a great tour company. Runny in the office did a great job, kept us informed all the time and helped us when we wanted to make a change to the schedule. The guides in each place were great. Emma in Shanghai was very, very good and such a lovely person & Emily in Bangkok was great too. This was our first trip to China, we are in an older age group & not good eith technology but this company & their guides made it the best experience & a fantastic holiday. I can't recommend them highly enough. You can book with complete confidence. read more
2025-09-21
Ariel Haimsky
Ariel Haimsky
United States
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We traveled with Asia Odyssey Travel for our family vacation in Yunnan. Cindy was the agent who organized everything and she was amazing. I had so many questions and wanted to alte... We traveled with Asia Odyssey Travel for our family vacation in Yunnan. Cindy was the agent who organized everything and she was amazing. I had so many questions and wanted to alter the tour in some respects, and she accomodated all of my requests and was always happy to answer questions. My wife and I came with our 11 year old so and 5 year old daughter, and most of our guides were very sensitive to their needs. We traveled from Kunming to Dali, then Lijang, and finally to Shangri-La. There was a great mix of nature along with city tours. Everything was so well organized. When we return to China in the future I will definitely try to book a trip with them again! read more
2025-07-17
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