Longji Rice Terraces Ancient Trail Hike

The paths on this walk are not hiking trails in the modern sense. They are the stone stairways that connect the terrace villages to their fields, and they are still used for exactly that purpose - which is why they go where they do and why they are as steep as they are.

The day climbs steadily from a Zhuang village, first between the terraces and then along the contour as the slope steepens, before reaching the viewpoints where the whole amphitheatre of fields opens out at once. Walking is on narrow bunds in single file, with wet stone in places, and the descent on the far side is harder on the knees than the climb. Your guide can shorten it for anyone who prefers.

The transfer from Guilin is roughly two and a half hours each way, so this is a genuinely full day. Travellers who want the terraces in better light can add a night in a village guesthouse; ask us and we will price it separately.

• Stone stairways built to serve the terraces, not visitors
• Sustained climbing from village level up to the ridge viewpoints
• Zhuang stilt-house villages passed on the way up
• The terrace amphitheatre seen from above, contour by contour
• Narrow bunds walked in single file, wet and uneven underfoot
• Option to shorten the descent, or stay a night in a village guesthouse

• Meals as listed in the daily itinerary (breakfasts and lunches as shown)
• Private air-conditioned vehicle with professional driver throughout
• English-speaking local guide (Spanish, French, German, Italian, Russian or Japanese on request)
• All entrance fees for the sites listed, including shuttle buses, eco-buses and cable cars where the site requires them
• Local handling and coordination service throughout the programme
• Bottled water (2 bottles per person per day) and audio headsets where group size requires them
• Travel accident insurance for the duration of the tour

• International air tickets and any domestic flights not listed in the itinerary
• China visa or visa-free entry documentation fees
• Meals not specified in the daily itinerary and all beverages/alcohol
• Tips for guides, drivers and hotel staff (suggested USD 8-12 per person per day)
• Personal expenses: laundry, telephone, minibar, shopping
• Optional activities and any item not listed under Price Includes
• Single-room supplement if a traveller requires a room alone

These are not hiking trails in the modern sense. They are the stone stairways that connect the terrace villages to their fields, and they are still used for that purpose, which is why they go where they do and why they are as steep as they are.

How hard is the Longji terrace hike?

Moderately hard: sustained climbing from village level up to the ridge viewpoints, on stone stairways rather than a graded trail. Most walkers find the gradient the challenge rather than the distance. The reward is the terrace amphitheatre opening out at once from above, contour by contour.

Are the paths slippery?

Often. The route crosses narrow bunds between flooded fields, walked in single file, and the stone is wet and uneven. Proper walking shoes with grip are essential; this is not a day for flat-soled shoes. Your guide will set the pace on the exposed sections.

Which villages does the walk pass?

Zhuang stilt-house villages on the way up, between Ping'an and the Jinkeng area of Red Yao settlement. The terraces were begun in the Yuan dynasty, between 1271 and 1368, and finished under the early Qing. The houses are still lived in and the stairways still serve the fields, which is the reason the route exists at all. You pass through working ground, not a park.

When is the best season for the terraces?

They look completely different through the year: flooded and mirror-like in spring, deep green in summer, gold before the autumn harvest and bare in winter. Tell us your dates and we will describe honestly what you will see. There is no single best month; there are four different landscapes.

Can the hike be shortened?

Yes. We can drive to a higher village and walk the ridge and the descent only, which removes most of the climbing. Tell us the fitness and the ages of your party when you book and we will set the route rather than adjust it on the day.

What should we wear and carry?

Walking shoes with grip, layers for the ridge, and water; poles help on the descent. Weather in the hills changes faster than in Guilin, so a light waterproof is worth carrying even on a clear morning. Your guide carries a basic first-aid kit.

Do we need a guide?

Practically yes. The stairways branch constantly and many lead to fields rather than to the next village, and there is no signage. Beyond navigation, a guide explains how the terraces are watered and maintained, which is the part visitors cannot work out alone.