2-Day Guilin Tour to Dragon's Backbone Rice Terraces

The best transportation from Guilin to Longsheng Rice Terraces is by taxi, which is very convenient but may cost CNY200-300 for a taxi. You can also take a long-distance bus (1 hour and 40 minutes) from Guilin Qintan Bus Station to Longsheng County, where you transfer to the bus (1.5 hours) to Dazhai. 

Upon arrival, you may take a cable car near the entrance to the No.3 viewing platform (Golden Buddha Summit). After that, walk along the stone-paved path to the No.1 viewing platform (West Hill Music). En route, you will pass by Tiantou Village where you can check in a hostel and have lunch. After that, hike to the No.2 viewing platform (Large-scale Thousand-Layer Terraces) and enjoy the sunset there. Then, go back to the hostel in Tiantou Village.

Highlights of Dazhai Yao Village Rice Terraces:
The above spots occupy the high position of each area. Standing at the viewing platform, you can have a panoramic view of the whole Dragon's Backbone Rice Terraces. These terraces are like a shining stairway from the foot of the hill leading to the top. Residences of local Yao people are dotted among the wide terraces, making it like a set that can only be seen in fairy tale movies.

Accommodation Suggestion:

Wanjinglou Guest Hostel	Tel: 18276311080	Both near the 'Music from Paradise'
Meijinglou Inn	Tel: 0773 - 7585678

Notice: Book either of the hostels one day in advance and you can reserve seats of a private through bus from Guilin to Dazhai Village via the hostel. The bus fare is CNY 50 for a single trip. The boarding point is at Hong Kong Hotel, 300 meters (330 yards) west of Guilin Railway Station. Or, you may follow the bus route mentioned above to reach the scenic area from Guilin Qintan Bus Station.

Cost for Day 01:

Guilin - Longsheng bus ticket:	CNY 37 or so
Longsheng - Dazhai bus ticket:	CNY 9
Admission Fee of Dragon's Backbone Rice Terraces:	CNY 80
Cable Car:	CNY 60 for a single trip
Accommodation:	CNY150~300 for a standard room

The No.1 viewing platform (West Hill Music) is a great place to appreciate the sunrise. Many great photos are shoot here. So today you should get up ealier, maybe around 4:30 and hike up to the 'West Hill Music' to enjoy the beautiful sunrise. Then return to your hotel to check out. If you are energetic, you may want to hike to Ping'an Village directly. The total journey will take about 4-4.5 hours. Another choice is to take a private car to Ping'an, which costs about RMB 80 and takes about 50 minutes.

Highlights of Ping'an Zhuang Village Rice Terraces:
In Ping'an Zhuang Village Rice Terraces, it includes two unique sights. One is the No.1 viewing platform (Nine Dragons and Five Tigers). Seeing from the viewing platform, you will find the nine mountain ranges there looking like nine dragons bending over to drink water. Near them are five small hills, resembling five tigers squatting on the ground. Another one is No.2 viewing platform (Seven Stars Accompany the Moon). It is praised as the essence of the Dragon's Backbone Rice Terraces. Here you will see the hill with a big paddy field on the top surrounded by seven smaller hillocks. It is also a perfect place for photography.

After finishing the visit to Ping'an Village, you can walk down to the parking lot of the village and take a bus to Longsheng and then transfer to the bus back to Guilin. Please bear in mind that the last bus from Pingan to Longsheng is at 16:30. 

Cost for Day 02:

Longsheng – Guilin bus ticket:	CNY37 or so
Pingan - Longsheng bus ticket:	CNY 9