Dazhai Village and Jinkeng Rice Terraces in Longsheng, Guilin

Dazhai Village and Jinkeng Rice Terraces in Longsheng, Guilin
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Dazhai Village is located in Longji Town (龙脊镇), Longsheng Various Nationalities Autonomous County (龙胜各族自治县), Guilin City (桂林市), and serves as the core area of the Longji Rice Terraces (龙脊梯田). In 2019, it was selected as one of the first batch of key rural tourism villages in China. The village is famous for its 2,300-year-old rice terrace farming system and the rich culture of the Red Yao (红瑶) ethnic group. Dazhai has implemented a “Government + Company + Community + Villagers” model for tourism development. In 2022, it became the first village in Guangxi to be recognized as a “Best Tourism Village” by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). As of 2023, the village boasts nearly 250 tourism-related businesses, including homestays and restaurants, and hosts over 700,000 visitors annually.

Jinkeng Rice Terraces

The Jinkeng Rice Terraces (金坑梯田) are part of the Longji Rice Terraces scenic area, located in Dazhai Village (大寨村). Spanning over 10 square kilometers, the area is home to more than 20 small mountain villages with a population of about 5,000 people. Each household has approximately one acre of rice paddies. The Jinkeng Rice Terraces are known for their grand scale, breathtaking beauty, and mist-covered peaks, and they are considered one of the world’s most stunning agricultural landscapes. This area has recently become a hotspot for tourists and photographers, as it has gained recognition globally over the past few years.

Development and Tourism Growth

In 2003, the village pioneered the “Terraces as Shares” model in cooperation with a tourism company, allowing villagers to earn 7% dividends from ticket sales through maintaining the rice terraces. By 2019, there were 188 rural guesthouses in the village, with an average annual income per capita of 20,000 RMB. By 2022, the village’s tourism revenue reached 528 million RMB. In 2023, the village welcomed 708,000 visitors, with collective income from tourism activities reaching 7.25 million RMB.

Key Tourism Resources

  • Terrace Views: The terraces, with a vertical drop of 860 meters, feature several main viewing spots such as “Xishan Shaoyue” (西山韶乐), “Qian Cheng Tianti” (千层天梯), and “Jinfo Peak” (金佛顶).

  • Cultural Experiences: The village hosts traditional events like the Clothes Drying Festival (晒衣节) and Plowing and Rice Planting Song Festival (开田挖地歌), which showcase the cultural heritage of the Red Yao (红瑶) people, including their unique weaving techniques.

  • Tourism Routes: In 2023, a themed route called “Journey of Rice Blossoms to Longji” (一路稻花上龙脊) was launched, offering experiences such as hiking through the terraces and learning about agricultural practices.

Ecological Conservation

The village has implemented a landscape restoration project for the terraces, with 82% of the area covered by forest. A self-sustaining irrigation system using mountain spring water covers the entire village, ensuring that water for both the rice terraces and villagers’ daily needs is provided.

Economic Growth

The village operates a multi-source income model, including “ticket dividends,” “terrace subsidies,” and “land shareholding.” In 2021, the average dividend per household was over 30,000 RMB. Additionally, a tourism product processing base was built, and the annual sales of Red Yao embroidery products (红瑶刺绣) surpassed 8 million RMB. The youth return rate to the village increased from 12% in 2015 to 68% in 2023.

International Influence

In 2022, Dazhai Village (大寨村) was selected as a UNWTO Best Tourism Village (联合国世界旅游组织“最佳旅游乡村”) and established a poverty alleviation exchange mechanism with Xianglong Village (象龙村) in Laos. It has also attracted tourists from countries such as Argentina and Singapore.

Awards and Recognitions

  • 2019: Selected as one of China’s first key rural tourism villages

  • 2022: Recognized by the United Nations World Tourism Organization as a “Best Tourism Village” (联合国世界旅游组织“最佳旅游乡村”)

  • 2023: Named a National Intangible Cultural Heritage Base for Yao Ethnic Clothing (瑶族服饰)

  • 2025: Awarded the 7th National Civilized Village and Town (第七届全国文明村镇) title

Travel Guide for Dazhai Village, Longsheng County, Guilin

Core Attractions

Longji Rice Terraces (龙脊梯田) – Jinkeng Dazhai Area (金坑大寨片区)

Best Viewing Spots

  • Xishan Shaoyue (西山韶乐): Ideal for sunrise, with mist and terraces blending to create a magical scene.

  • Qian Cheng Tianti (千层天梯): A great spot for panoramic shots, with clear lines of rice terraces. You can rent Red Yao (红瑶) costumes for photos (approx. 10 RMB/set).

  • Jinfo Peak (金佛顶): Best for sunset views. You can take a cable car (one-way 60 RMB) or hike to the top.

Seasonal Highlights

  • April (Watering Season): The terraces reflect like a mirror, creating stunning reflections of the sky and clouds.

  • October (Harvest Season): The terraces are golden with ripe rice, perfect for capturing rich light and shadow contrasts.

Cultural Experiences

  • Red Yao Clothing (红瑶服饰): Rent traditional costumes for photos (10 RMB/set).

  • Agricultural Activities: Participate in tasks like terrace farming (扶田基) and rice planting (插秧).

Practical Information

  • Admission: 80 RMB per person (including access to major viewpoints).

  • Opening Hours: Open all day. For sunrise viewing, arrive before 5:30 AM.

  • Transportation:

    • From Guilin: Take a direct bus to Longsheng (龙胜) (approximately 1.5 hours), then transfer to a special route bus to the scenic area.

    • Self-Drive: Use “Longji Rice Terraces Yijipan Homestay” (龙脊梯田依景畔居民宿) as your GPS destination for Xishan Shaoyue (西山韶乐) viewing platform.

Suggested Itinerary

One-Day Tour

  • Morning: Watch the sunrise at Xishan Shaoyue (西山韶乐), followed by a deeper exploration of Qian Cheng Tianti (千层天梯).

  • Lunch: Enjoy a traditional meal at a terrace homestay, with local dishes like bamboo rice (竹筒饭) and fried bacon with fern (腊肉炒蕨菜).

  • Afternoon: Visit Ping’an Zhai (平安寨) for views from the Jiulong Wuhu Viewing Platform (九龙五虎观景台). End the day with a sunset at Jinfo Peak (金佛顶).

Multi-Day Tour

  • Add a visit to Huangluo Yao Village (黄洛瑶寨) to experience the Red Yao long hair performance (红瑶长发表演), and relax at the Longsheng Hot Springs (龙胜温泉).

Tips

  • Equipment: Wear non-slip hiking shoes (the stone paths are slippery), bring sunscreen in the summer, and windproof clothing in winter.

  • Dining: Food inside the scenic area is relatively expensive; consider bringing snacks.

  • Accommodation: Prices for terrace homestays range from 200-600 RMB per night. Booking in advance during peak seasons is recommended.

Transportation Guide (Guilin → Dazhai Village)

Direct Bus

  • Departure Points: Guilin North Railway Station (桂林北站), Guilin Railway Station (桂林站), and Guilin West Railway Station (桂林西站), with multiple departures daily (8:00 AM – 3:00 PM). Tickets cost 65 RMB, with a travel time of around 3 hours.

  • Return: Buses depart from Dazhai Parking Lot (大寨停车场) (9:00 AM – 4:00 PM). Reservations are required.

Tips

  • The mountain roads may cause motion sickness, so bring anti-sickness medication.

  • If driving, be cautious; the last section of the road is steep, and it’s recommended to arrange a pick-up service from your homestay.

Alternative Route

  • Take a bus from Guilin to Longsheng (桂林到龙胜) (20 RMB, 1.5 hours), then transfer to a local bus to Dazhai (7 RMB, 1.5 hours).

Best Seasons for Viewing the Terraces

  • Mid-April to Early June (Watering Season): The terraces reflect like a mirror, with clouds drifting through the mist, creating a dreamlike atmosphere.

  • Late September to Mid-October (Harvest Season): The terraces are golden with ripe rice, and the varying light and shadow create rich photo opportunities.

  • Other Seasons: Summer (June to August) is lush and green, while winter (December to February) may offer a chance to see snow. Always check the weather beforehand.