Yulong River is the biggest branch of the Li River in YangShuo County. The clear water runs smoothly past fields,farmhouses, trees and mountains. Traveling by bamboo raft you will be surrounded by the crystal water and feel relaxed and happy in the arms of the green mountains. Looking from the mountaintops, you can see a vivid panorama of the landscape with the green crystal water flowing through the colorful valley below.
Tourists are entranced with the harmonious picture of women washing clothes beside the river,ducks swimming on the river,bamboo rafts moving under the old bridge,and farmers working in the fields.Yulong has a different kind of beauty than the Li River. Along the Yulong River you can find Fuli Bridge, Guiyi Original Site, Ancient Village, Xiangui Bridge, the Zhus'Camp,Chuan Cave, Rhinoceros Deep Pool, Zhaoyang Camp, Seven Stars and other scenic spots.

Longji rice terraces – A must-see sights in Guilin!

Longji rice terraces also called Dragon's backbone rice terraces. As the slope of the whole mountain looks like Dragon's backbone while overlook from the mountain top. Longji rice terraces is one of the most famous rice terraces in China even in the world. The entire terraced rice fields covers an area of 66 square kilometers and with an elevation from 380meters to 1100meters above the sea level.

Tourists could be immediately attracted by these amazing terraced rice terraces once entered the rice terraces scenic area, These remarkable rice terraces were firstly built by the local Zhuang people and Yao people begin from Yuan Dynasty (AD 1279-1368) and finished at Qing Dynasty(AD 1640-1912) which with a history of 600 years from generation to generation. These rolling hills were covered by the rice paddies is really incredible as they wrap around the hillsides and flow down the valley. It also shows how did the local people try their best to make the most use of the scarce arable land and water resources in the mountainous area.

The best time to visit Longji rice terraces is from Late spring to late Autumn(May –Oct),In spring, When all of the rice terraces were irrigated,These rice terraces looks like thousands of layered mirrors by the reflection of water. In summer,The rice terraces looks like the vast of green grasses because of the bright green rice plants. In Autumn, It looks like a golden ocean while the rice plants turns yellow. Hence,Different season,Different scenery, it has been fascinated with by lots of photographers year after year.

Except the Magnificent rice terraces, Tourists could also get an insight of the local minority people's culture, Such as the local Zhuang and Yao people's constructions (wooden houses), diet custom and traditional costumes. For example, you will have a chance to see the local ladies' long hair show in Huangluo Yao village,Have a try the local people's bamboo rice and smoked pork in Ping'an village, and Admire their talent for building featured wooden houses.

How to get there:

Longji rice terraces is belong to Longshen county, It's 28km from Longshen county seat and 90km from Guilin city, Tourists could take an express bus to Longshen county from Guilin Qintan bus station for 2hours,The tourists could get off the bus at Heping town which on the way to Longji rice terraces,Then switch to another local bus to Ping'an village from Heping town for 30minutes.

Yangshuo lies in the northeast of Guangxi Province and to the southeast of Guilin City. The special geography gives it breath-taking beauty while over 1,400 years of history bless it with a deep traditional culture.The diverse ethnic minority groups including Hui, Zhuang, Yao and others, enrich it with special folk cultures represented by their various festivals; while many foreign residents add exotic flavors to its fascination.Yangshuo, besides Dali in Yunnan, is China's most popular backpacker destination. In fact, Yangshuo has become legendary as a place to get away from China. The village is set amongst limestone and karst peaks, and is filled with quaint alleys, shops and restaurants that serve many kinds of western foods.The surrounding land is flat and perfect for bicycle riding and with your choice of peaks to climb and local villages to visit, Yangshuo has plenty to do!
 

Longji rice terrace(Ping’an vllage) Hiking routes guideline

Longji rice terrace is located in the northwest part of Guilin city. It’s about 2.5hours drive from Guilin city to Longji rice terrace at Ping’an village parking lot. Longji rice terrace is hidden in the route mountain area which with an elevation of 300meters to 1100meters. Longji rice terrace is digged and built by the local Yao minority people and Zhuang Minority people start from 13 century to the end of 19 century with a history of 650years.

Due to the tough natural environment and behindhand agricultural technology, All of the rice terraces are made by hand by the local people for generations. All of the rice terraces are built on the slope of the mountain range.The rice terrace wrapped around the mountain slope from the mountain bottom to the summit of the mountain which look like numbers of silks and ribbons while see afar. Especially, In spring season, While all of the rice terraces are flooded with water. The rice terraces are just like numerous mirrors by their reflection. In Summer season, You will see the rice terrace just like layered green grassland. In Autumn season, you will see the golden rice terraces which truly terrific. In winter season, You will see the silver rice terraces just like covered with cotton. Hence, The rice terrace is one of the remarkable sights in Guilin area.

Besides the outstanding rice terrace landscape, It’s also fascinating to discover the local ethnic minority people’s culture, such as their typical construction, costume, diet, custom, tradition,daily people’s life while wander around the local village etc.

As to hiking route in Longji rice terrace at Ping’an village. There are two view points in Longji rice terrace. View point one also called nine dragons and fiver tigers. View point two also called seven stars with the moon. Because view point two is earlier to get there from the parking lot(Ping’an village entrance), So most of tourists especially many Chinese tour groups could hike up to view point two. View point one is more far and more challenged to reach than view point two. So, there are not too many tour groups means less tourists. But normally, View point one provide a much better view of the rice terrace as well as Ping’an village from there due to its higher position. So, There are some popular hiking routes in Longji rice terrace base on above introduction.  

Hiking route one:
Hiking start from the parking lot(Ping’an village entrance) – Ping’an village(Pass by) – View point two - Ping’an village – Parking lot

Hiking route two:
Hiking start from the parking lot – Ping’an village – View point two – Hike to View point one through a paved mountain path – hike down to Ping’an village- Parking lot.

Hiking route three:
Hiking start from the parking lot – Ping’an village – View point one - Hike to View point two through a paved mountain path – Ping’an village – Parking lot.

If you have physical problem(Included disease,knee problem, fat shape,etc), If you also want to enjoy the wonderful rice terrace landscape, Then,there are another solution for you.

The local people built a paved road from the parking lot to View point one which take 5minutes drive. If you are not able to do the hiking trip, Then you may request the driver take you up to view point one,Then you could see the rice terrace landscape from view point one directly without taking 1hour hiking up to the view point one through the steep stone steps. If you would like to do some limited hiking, You can also hike down to Ping’an village or hike to view point one then down to the village before arrive the parking lot. It’s also a good solution.

Of course, If you stay two nights in Ping’an village, There are more hiking trips you could consider to do.

Hiking route A: Ping’an village – Longji old Zhuang village – Ping’an village
Since there is a old Zhuang people’s village with many well preserved houses named Longji old Zhuang village near to Ping’an village, It’s about 40minutes hiking from Ping’an village with downhill path to Longji old Zhuang village.After hang around Longji old Zhuang village,Then you can hike back to Ping’an village

Hiking route B: Ping’an village – Dazhai village
From Ping’an village To Dazhai village, It’s about 20km and 4-5hours hiking through a up and down mountain trail. It’s a more difficult hiking trip with a lot of challenge. But if you are quite fit, energetic and keen on outdoor activity, This hiking trip is just for you. Attention, If it’s rainy,The hiking trail could be more muddy and slippery. It become more dangerous to do the hiking trip. It’s better to skip it. It’s better just do some hiking trips nearby Ping’an village.
 

Reed Flute Cave: known as "the Palace of Natural Arts ” is located in the northwest of Guilin City , 5 kilometers away from the center of the city. It is a cave on the southern shoulder of the Guangming Hill (Bright Hill) and is one of the most extraordinary scenic spots in Guilin .

Bus no. 3 stops at Reed Flute Cave Park

Longshen hot spring – A highlighted tourist attraction in Guilin!

 
While talking about Longshen county, Most of tourists could immediately think of Longji rice terrace due to the remarkable terraced rice fields which built from the riverside to the top of the mountain along the slope of the mountain.

Actually, Except the magnificent rice terraces in Longshen,There is another very famous sights also worth to mention in Longshen county. That's Longshen Hot spring. It's the most famous and popular hot spring in Guilin area so far. If you have more time during you visit Longji rice terraces, it’s really a good chance to pay a visit to Longshen hot spring. You will never feel regret.

It's 60km and almost 1.5hour drive from Longji rice terraces(Ping'an village),Longshen hot spring hide in the remote mountain which covered by the lush forest. The road from Longshen county seat to Longshen hot spring go along a river valley,These magnificent mountains surround the road and make it very peaceful and tranquil. There are some local Yao minority villages located at the slope of the mountain, These wooden houses with typical style are really impressive. 

The hot spring actually just located at the entrance of Longshen national forest park, it operated and controlled by the local tour company at present. There are one Boutique resort and two hotels built in the hot spring scenic spot. Tourists need to pay the entrance tickets before went into the hot spring scenic spot. But if you stay in one of their hotels,It's possible to use the hot spring pool without paying the toll.

There are almost ten hot spring pools were built at the bottom of mountain next to the Resort. The hot spring water just flow into these water pool through a couple of steel pipes. The temperature of the hot spring water is begin from 58 centigrade to 45 centigrade. It's very comfortable to take a bath or make a water Spa in the hot spring pool. Because the hot spring water contains lots of trace elements, Such as lithium, strontium, iron, manganese, zinc, copper and others. So, it's very good for the skin and body. It's really a good place for relaxing and recovering after a tired trip.

How to get there
Tourists can get to Longshen bus station from Guilin bus station firstly, Then switch to another local bus from Longshen bus station and get to the hot spring scenic spot. It's 118km and 2.5hours drive by bus from Guilin to Longshen bus station,It's 32km and 30minutes drive from Longshen bus station to Longshen hot spring.