Jinkeng Rice Terraces in Longsheng County, Guilin

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Jinkeng Rice Terraces (金坑梯田) are situated in the Longji Rice Terraces Scenic Area (龙脊梯田景区) in Longsheng Various Nationalities Autonomous County (龙胜各族自治县), located in Guilin City (桂林市), Guangxi Province (广西省). These terraces span over 10 square kilometers, with more than 20 villages and a population of around 5,000 people. Each family typically cultivates about one acre of rice paddies.

The terraces are famous worldwide for their magnificent landscape—lush, mist-covered peaks, unique Yao Ethnic Group (瑶族) villages, and colorful cultural traditions. The area, which was first developed in the Yuan Dynasty (元朝), has only gained international recognition in recent years. Today, Jinkeng Rice Terraces have become a renowned tourist destination, drawing photographers and tourists seeking to experience nature and culture in a tranquil environment.

The terraces are characterized by beautiful, flowing curves and rich patterns, giving them a dynamic, almost musical beauty. They also feature various shapes, such as pagoda-like formations, wave-like patterns, and representations of animals like mountain eagles and even the Big Dipper constellation.

Dazhai Village (大寨村) 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), Guangxi Province (广西省), and serves as the core scenic area of the Longji Rice Terraces (龙脊梯田). In 2019, Dazhai was selected as one of the first batch of key rural tourism villages in China.

The village has developed a unique tourism model based on its 2,300-year-old terraced rice farming system and the rich cultural heritage of the Red Yao (红瑶) ethnic group. This model integrates the government, companies, the local community, and villagers, creating a collaborative approach to sustainable tourism development. In 2022, Dazhai became the first village in Guangxi to be recognized by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) as a “Best Tourism Village.”

As of 2023, the village has established nearly 250 tourism-related businesses, including guesthouses and restaurants, and receives more than 700,000 visitors annually.

History and Culture

The Red Yao (红瑶), a subgroup of the Yao Ethnic Group (瑶族), are the primary residents of Jinkeng. Their ancestors migrated from the Dongting Lake (洞庭湖) and Wuxi (五溪) regions in Hunan Province (湖南省), bringing advanced rice cultivation techniques with them. The Red Yao people preserved their culture through oral traditions, particularly through mountain songs. Their cultural heritage is also visible in their craftsmanship, including weaving, batik, and silk production.

One of the most interesting cultural aspects is that the Red Yao women traditionally wear distinctive red clothing, which is the origin of their name. They are known for their skillful handiwork in textiles, and the tradition continues to this day.

The terraces themselves have a long history—dating back to the Yuan Dynasty (元朝), and although they remained largely unknown to the outside world until the 1990s, they have since become a major point of interest for travelers. In 1994, Guilin TV (桂林电视台) and CCTV (中央电视台) produced a documentary called “Longji” (龙脊), featuring the region’s remarkable rice terraces and their connection to the local community. Since then, interest in the terraces has steadily increased.

Unique Features of Jinkeng Rice Terraces

Natural Landscape and Environment

The Jinkeng terraces are nestled within the Yuecheng Mountain Range (越城岭大山脉), which is surrounded by high mountains, keeping the area isolated from the outside world. The region has yet to be connected by roads, preserving its traditional, self-sustained economy. The highest peak in the area, Fupingbao (福平包), stands at an elevation of 1,916 meters (6,286 feet), and at altitudes above 1,500 meters, the forest is still lush and undisturbed.

The region boasts abundant water sources and lush vegetation, which keep the landscape green year-round. The village houses are constructed in the traditional stilt-house style (吊角楼), and the architecture blends seamlessly with the natural surroundings, creating a picturesque, almost fairytale-like setting.

Terrace Layout and Patterns

The terraces are arranged in orderly rows, with winding, curved lines that give them a dynamic visual appeal. These curves create a flowing aesthetic, evoking images of colorful ribbons descending from the sky. Some terraces are shaped like pagodas, while others resemble eagles in flight or the arrangement of the stars in the Big Dipper. The terraces vary in height and layers, and the gradients create a sense of depth, both near and far.

In addition to their visual beauty, the terraces have a musical quality, reflected in the rhythm and harmony of their layout. The placement of each row seems to follow its own unique rhythm, creating a harmonious pattern that feels almost like a song.

Cultural and Community Life

The Red Yao people continue to maintain traditional lifestyles, even building roads and bridges voluntarily without expecting compensation. The villagers have a deep respect for their elders, and for important ceremonies like weddings or funerals, the whole village comes together, offering food and assistance. The community is known for its spirit of mutual help, with neighbors assisting one another in work, particularly for tasks like building houses or harvesting.

Visitors to the region can enjoy vibrant local culture, including traditional Yao dances (瑶族舞蹈), songs, and indigenous clothing. The community is also known for its delicious local products, including Longji Tea (龙脊茶) and Longji Pepper (龙脊辣椒), as well as the Longji Rice Wine (龙脊水酒), which is a popular local drink.

Major Attractions and Activities

Key Scenic Spots

Jinfo Peak (金佛顶): This is the best spot to enjoy the stunning sunset over the terraces, with panoramic views that are especially beautiful in the evening.

Xishan Shaoyue (西山韶乐): Known for its sunrise views, this spot provides a magical scene where mist mingles with the terraces, creating an ethereal atmosphere.

Qian Cheng Tianti (千层天梯): A section of the terraces with long, winding lines that make it ideal for panoramic photography.

Cultural Experiences

Traditional Yao Performances: The Longji Copper Drum Dance (龙脊铜鼓舞) and Shigong Dance (师公舞) are some of the many cultural performances you can enjoy. Visitors can also listen to Mountain Songs (山歌) and experience the ancient way of life through folk dances and music.

Yao Festivals: The Shai Yi Festival (晒衣节), also known as the Zongzi Festival (粽粑节) or Half-Year Festival (半年节), is the most significant event for the Red Yao people. During this festival, families gather to celebrate, make offerings, and share food. Special rituals include making dumplings, slaughtering pigs, and honoring the gods of the fields.

Travel Information

Transportation

From Guilin:

Take a bus from Qintan Bus Station (琴潭汽车站) in Guilin to Longsheng County (龙胜县). Buses run from 6:10 AM to 5:50 PM, with a 1.5-hour journey and a ticket price of approximately 21 RMB.
The bus will stop at three entrances to the Longji Rice Terraces: Longji Ancient Zhuang Village (龙脊古壮寨), Ping’an Zhuang Village (平安壮寨), and Dazhai Red Yao Terraces (大寨红瑶梯田).

From Longsheng County:

There are buses from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM to Dazhai (大寨) and Longji Ancient Zhuang Village (龙脊古壮寨), with tickets priced around 8-9 RMB per person.

Cable Car:
The Longji Jinkeng Cable Car (龙脊金坑索道) offers an easy 20-minute ride that provides a bird’s-eye view of the terraces. The cable car operates from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM, with tickets priced at 70 RMB for a one-way trip and 120 RMB for a round-trip.

Longji Gorge Rafting:
Longji Gorge Rafting (龙脊峡漂流) is a thrilling adventure where visitors navigate a 4-kilometer section of river with a drop of 300 meters. It takes around 1.5 hours and operates three times a day. The cost for a two-person kayak is reasonable, and the experience offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains.