Longsheng rice terraces tour
The Longsheng Rice Terraces are located in Longsheng County about 100km (2 hours drive) from Guilin. The most popular rice terraces are: PingAn Rice Terrace and Jinkeng Rice Terrace.
Panorama of the Longji terrace, one of the Longsheng Rice Terraces.The terraced fields are built along the slope winding from the riverside up to the mountain top, the highest part being 880 m in elevation while the lowest part 380 m in elevation. The coiling line that starts from the mountain foot to up to the mountain top divides the mountain into layers of water glittering in the sun in spring, layers of green rice shoots in summer, layers of golden rice in fall, and layers of silvery frost in winter. The terraced fields were mostly built during the Ming Dynasty about 500 years ago.
Blog and travel tips of Longsheng rice terraces
The best time for a good photo is in early June, when the paddies are pumping with water, the villages are transfering young plant of rice from the seed bed to large areas of rice terrace.
4 days Longsheng-Guilin-Yangshuo tour
Day 1 (D)
Arrival / Guilin / Longsheng
Pikup from Guilin airport by our English speaking tour guide and transfer for 2 hours (about 100 kms) to Longsheng. Longsheng is located in the mountainous region on the northeastern part of Guilin. The natural beauty and the colorful ethnic Chinese cultures and customs attract people from all over the world. Stay in the mountain village overnight.
Longsheng is famous for the Longji Dragon Backbone Rice Terrace: 60 square kilometers of terraced rice fields southeast of Longsheng. They were first built in the Yuan dynasty and completed in the Qing dynasty by Zhuang people.
The terraced fields are built along the slope winding from the riverside up to the mountaintop, with the highest place of an elevation of 885m and the lowest 380m. The coiling line spirals up from the mountain foot to the top, making the mountain looks like huge snail seen from afar.
Day 2 (B, L, )
Longji / Guilin
Transfer to Guilin by road. Visit Reed Flute Cave & Elephant Trunk Hill. Take evening cruise on Li River and surrounding lakes.
Visit the Reed Flute Cave. Aside 15 minutes drive (one hour bike ride) from downtown, the cave is one of the largest known examples of what each tropical karst cone conceals within it. The script writers and set designers for Star Trek would have a field day in this cavernous underground stalactite/stalagmite maze-style theater. The dropping water is rich and the dripstones are not only in various types but also in big size, displaying a wonderful cave world. This cave was called "The Art Gallery of Mother Nature". Colored fluorescent lights which cast shadows and illuminate shapes of imaginary animals, fruits and vegetables complete the unworldly effect.
Following with Elephant Trunk Hill. It is located on the west bank of the Li River by a small branch called Peach blossom River, and resembles a huge elephant standing on the bank of the river, sucking up water with its long trunk. The trunk is particularly striking and lifelike when viewed either nearby or afar. A circular foot cave called Shui Yue Dong (Moon-In-the Water Cave) separates the trunk and the body. A 3-story Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 A.D) brick pagoda rises from the top of hill.
Day 3 (B, L, )
Guilin / Yangshuo
After the breakfast you take bus to Dock. You will start your Li River Cruise from here. The total Journey is around 30 Kilometers and takes 4 hours. On the way you will see the most beautiful landscapes and pass throw the local villages.
Later this day you will arrive at Yangshuo. You can also choose to stay in the town, stroll around the local market, witness the daily activities of local society. Or you might enjoy a class for Chinese Tachi in Yangshuo at sunset (optional).
Yangshuo, the natural scenery features unique karst hills, crystal water, exquisite stones and intricate caves as well as a cultural historic heritage and folks of diverse customs. At night, have fun on the West Street, don't drink too much to miss tomorrow's program. Or you can go to watch the envening show - Impression Liu Sanjie (optional). The Cormorant Bird catching fish show at night is also something new (optional).
Day 4 (B, L, )
Yangshuo / Hong Kong
Transfer via: by air
Morning bike ride in around Yangshuo, visit Moon Hill. You might take safe water rafting on Yulong River through limestone mountains and trails in your own free time (optional). Later today you will be transferred to the airport for the flight to Hong Kong.
Biking in Beautiful Yangshuo: When you escape onto the country roads, lanes and tracks of the distinctive and beautiful Yangshou countryside, you would see rice paddies, farm house, green limestone hills. Biking through the paddy field and orchards that surround the famous mountains will give a fascinating insight into life in rural China. Centuries old farming methods sit side by side with mobile phones and satellite dishes.
The fantastic view from the top of the Moon Hill has made this hill one of Yangshuo's best attractions! Moon Hill has a natural round cave at the peak and from a distance, the cave (a hole in the peak) resembles the moon, hence the name.