How to Get from Guilin to Longji Rice Terraces by Public Transport (2026)

Quick Answer

Take a bus from Guilin Qintan Passenger Station to Longsheng County (¥29–30, ~1 hr 40 min), then transfer to a local bus to Dazhai (Jinkeng) or Ping'an Village (¥9–10, ~1–1.5 hrs). Buses from Qintan run every 40 minutes from 07:00 to 19:00. There is also a direct tourist bus to Dazhai (¥40, ~2.5 hrs) departing at 08:00, 08:30, 09:30, 13:00, and 15:00, but it typically requires advance booking through a guesthouse. Total travel time is about 2.5–3 hours each way.

The Longji Rice Terraces (龙脊梯田) are 77 km north of Guilin in Longsheng County. Carved into steep mountainsides over 600 years by Zhuang and Yao ethnic minorities, the terraces climb from 300 m to 1,100 m elevation. There are two main viewing areas: Ping'an Village (Zhuang people, easier access) and Jinkeng/Dazhai (Red Yao people, more dramatic views, cable car available).

Compare Your Options

Option 1: Qintan Express Bus + Local Transfer (Recommended)

Step-by-step

1. Get to Qintan Passenger Station (琴潭汽车客运站). Located at 31 Cuizhu Road (翠竹路31号), about 10 km from central Guilin. City buses 26, 85, 88, and 89 connect to the station. From Guilin Railway Station, take bus 91 directly to Qintan.

2. Buy a ticket to Longsheng County (龙胜县). The non-stop express bus costs ¥29–30 and departs every 40 minutes from 07:00 to 19:00. Travel time is about 1 hour 40 minutes.

   [!TIP] There is also a cheaper ordinary bus (¥24, 06:10–17:00) that stops frequently along the way. It takes longer (2+ hours) and is not recommended unless you are on a very tight budget.

3. Arrive at Longsheng County Bus Station (龙胜汽车站). From here, transfer to a local bus heading up to the terraces:

   To Dazhai / Jinkeng (大寨/金坑) — Red Yao Terraces:

   • Bus fare: ¥9–10
   • Duration: 1 to 1.5 hours
   • Frequency: Every 20 minutes from 07:00 to 17:00 (to Heping Township); hourly to Dazhai
   • The bus terminates at Dazhai Parking Lot, near the Jinkeng cable car station and guesthouses.

   To Ping'an Village (平安寨) — Zhuang Terraces:

   • Bus fare: ¥9–10
   • Duration: about 1 hour
   • Departures from Longsheng: 07:30, 09:00, 11:00, 13:00, 15:00, 17:00
   • The bus terminates at Ping'an Parking Lot. From there, walk about 20 minutes uphill to reach Ping'an Village.

4. Buy your terrace entrance ticket. The Longji Rice Terraces entrance fee is ¥80 per person (as of 2026). You may need to show it when boarding local buses or at checkpoints.

[!IMPORTANT] The road from Longsheng up to Dazhai and Ping'an is winding and mountainous. If you suffer from motion sickness, sit near the front and bring medication. The last buses down from the villages depart around 16:30–17:00.

Heping Township Junction shortcut

If you take the bus from Guilin to Longsheng, you can get off at Heping Township (和平乡) — the junction where the road splits: north to Longsheng town, east to Dazhai. From Heping, you can wave down a passing Longsheng–Dazhai or Longsheng–Ping'an bus. This can save 20–30 minutes compared with going all the way to Longsheng Station and backtracking.

Option 2: Direct Tourist Bus to Dazhai

There is a direct bus from Guilin to Dazhai (Jinkeng Terraces) that bypasses the Longsheng transfer:

• Departure point: Near Guilin Railway Station (火车南站)
• Fare: ¥40 one way
• Departure times: 08:00, 08:30, 09:30, 13:00, 15:00
• Duration: Approximately 2.5 hours
• Booking: This bus typically requires advance reservation through a Dazhai guesthouse or hotel. Ask your accommodation in Dazhai to book a seat for you.
• Return: Buses from Dazhai back to Guilin depart in the morning (around 09:00) and early afternoon. Confirm the schedule with your guesthouse.

[!TIP] The direct bus is the most convenient option if you are staying overnight in Dazhai. For a same-day trip, the Qintan–Longsheng route offers more flexible return times.

Option 3: Ping'an via Longsheng (Alternative Village)

If you plan to visit Ping'an Village instead of Dazhai:

1. Follow the same Qintan → Longsheng route (Option 1, Steps 1–2).
2. At Longsheng Bus Station, take the Ping'an bus (¥9–10, 1 hour).
3. Departure times from Longsheng to Ping'an: 07:30, 09:00, 11:00, 13:00, 15:00, 17:00.
4. Return from Ping'an to Longsheng: 07:20, 08:50, 13:00, 15:00, 16:30.

Ping'an is smaller and more developed for tourism, with the famous "Seven Stars Accompany the Moon" and "Nine Dragons and Five Tigers" viewpoints. Dazhai/Jinkeng is larger, more dramatic, and has a cable car (¥55–100 depending on route) to the top viewpoint.

How to Get Back

• From Dazhai: Local buses to Longsheng run until about 17:00. From Longsheng, express buses back to Guilin Qintan run until 19:00. If you miss the last connection, you will need to stay overnight or hire a private car.
• From Ping'an: The last bus to Longsheng departs at 16:30.
• Direct bus to Guilin: If you took the direct tourist bus, confirm the return departure time with your guesthouse — typically around 09:00 and early afternoon.

[!IMPORTANT] Schedules may change — verify locally. Check the return bus times when you arrive at Longsheng or your village, and set a reminder to start heading down in time.

Chinese Names You May Need

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Confusing Dazhai with Ping'an. These are different villages in different valleys, about 30 minutes apart by road. Dazhai/Jinkeng has the cable car and more dramatic terraces; Ping'an is closer and more compact. Decide which one you want before you board the local bus in Longsheng.

2. Missing the last bus down. The last local buses from Dazhai and Ping'an to Longsheng depart around 16:30–17:00, and the last Longsheng–Guilin bus leaves at 19:00. If you are doing a day trip, start descending by 15:00 to be safe.

3. Going to the wrong Guilin bus station. Buses to Longsheng depart from Qintan Station, not the South Bus Station. Qintan is about 10 km from the city center — allow extra time to get there.

4. Not booking the direct bus in advance. The ¥40 direct bus to Dazhai requires a reservation through a guesthouse. You cannot just show up and expect a seat.

5. Underestimating the walk from Ping'an Parking Lot to the village. It is a 20-minute uphill walk. If you have heavy luggage or mobility issues, consider staying in Dazhai (where the bus drops closer to guesthouses) or arranging a pickup.

6. Forgetting motion sickness medication. The mountain road from Heping to Dazhai/Ping'an is steep and winding. Even seasoned travelers can feel queasy.

Before You Go

• Best time to visit: Mid-September to mid-October for golden harvest terraces; May–June for lush green and irrigated (mirror-like) terraces; December–February for possible snow on Jinkeng terraces.
• Opening hours: The scenic area is open all day; ticket booths operate roughly 07:00–18:00.
• Entrance fee: ¥80 per adult. See our Longji Rice Terraces ticket guide for details.
• What to bring: Passport (for ticket purchase), comfortable hiking shoes, layers (it is cooler at elevation), water and snacks, and cash for local buses and small vendors.
• Recommended visit duration: A full day for one village; stay overnight for sunrise views and to hike between Dazhai and Ping'an (3–4 hours trail).

Related Guides

• Guilin Travel Guide — full city guide with karst peaks and food tips
• How to Get from Guilin to Yangshuo by Public Transport — combine Longji with Yangshuo
• 12306 High-Speed Rail Guide — how to book train tickets in China

Still Not Sure How to Get There?

Need help arranging a guided Longji day trip, booking a guesthouse in Dazhai, or planning a multi-day Guilin–Longji–Yangshuo itinerary? Our local team can help. Contact us or message us on WhatsApp.

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Bus schedules and fares are based on TravelChinaGuide (updated August 2025), VisitOurChina.com, and Ctrip/Trip.com bus listings. Direct tourist bus information is based on traveler reports and guesthouse confirmations. Entrance fees are based on official Longji scenic area pricing. Schedules may change — verify at Qintan Station or with your guesthouse before travel.

Last verified: August 2026