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

Located 80 kilometers (50 miles) from Guilin City, Dragon's Backbone Rice Terraces is the paradise for backpackers and shutterbugs to see the most beautiful rural landscape of Guilin. Please follow this two-day independent Guilin tour to fully explore the rural scenery by visiting two villages of the scenic area: Dazhai Yao Village and Ping'an Zhuang Village.

Take a long-distance bus from Guilin Qintan Bus Station to Longsheng County; get off at the Dragon's Backbone Rice Terraces in the midway. The duration takes around 2h.

Upon arrival, exchange to a sightseeing bus of the scenic area to the Dazhai Yao Village Rice Terraces. You may take a cable car near the entrance to the 'Golden Buddha Peak'. After that, walk along the stone-paved path to the 'Seven Stars Chase the Moon' and 'Thousand Ladders to the Heaven'. En route, you will pass by Tiantou Village where you can check in a hostel and have lunch. After visiting the two spots, walk back towards Tiantou Village and continue to head north to view the sunset at 'Music from Heaven'. Then, go back to the hostel in Tiantou Village.

Highlights of Dazhai Yao Village Rice Terraces:
The four spots occupy the high position of each area. Standing at the viewing platform, you can have a full view of the surrounding scenery. 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 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 30 or so
Admission Fee of Dragon's Backbone Rice Terraces:	CNY 95
Sightseeing bus:	CNY 40 for a round trip
Cable Car:	CNY 70 for a single trip
Accommodation:	CNY150~200 for a standard room

Get up at around 4:30 and hike to the viewing platform of 'Music from Heaven' to enjoy the beautiful sunrise. Then return to your hotel to check out and go downhill to the entrance gate of Dazhai Village. Take the sightseeing bus to Ping'an Zhuang Village Rice Terraces. Hike along the stone-paved path to 'Nine Dragons and Five Tigers' and 'Seven Stars with the Moon'.

After finishing the visit of Ping'an Village, take the sightseeing bus to the gate of the Dragon's Backbone Rice Terraces and wait for a bus back to Guilin by the road.

Highlights of Ping'an Zhuang Village Rice Terraces:

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.
Seven Stars with 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 can definitely be a highlight of your two-day independent Guilin tour.

Cost for Day 02:

Longsheng – Guilin bus ticket:

CNY30 or so