The Longji (“Dragon’s Backbone”) rice terraces near Guilin are among the most photogenic farmed landscapes on Earth — curving tiers of paddies wrapping the hillsides, carved over centuries by the Zhuang and Yao peoples.

What to see

• Ping’an and Jinkeng (Dazhai) — the two main terrace areas, each with marked viewpoints reached on foot or by cable car.
• Ethnic minority villages with wooden stilt houses and homestays.
• The famous “Seven Stars with Moon” and “Music from Paradise” viewpoints.

When to go

The terraces transform with the seasons:

• Spring — flooded paddies mirror the sky.
• Summer — lush green.
• Autumn (mid-Sept to Oct) — golden, just before harvest.
• Winter — occasional snow.

Getting there

Most visitors come on a day trip or overnight from Guilin/Yangshuo. Tours are easy to book on Klook or Viator (affiliate).

Tips

• Stay overnight in a village to catch sunrise and avoid day-tripper crowds.
• It’s a lot of walking on steps — pack light and wear grippy shoes.

Affiliate disclosure: Some links above are affiliate links. We may earn a small commission if you book through them, at no extra cost to you.