Longji Rice Terrace & Zhuang Lunch – A Day You Won’t Forget
I had seen countless pictures of rice terraces in China, but nothing quite prepared me for the real thing. Standing at the top of Longji, watching layer upon layer of rice paddies winding down the mountains like green ribbons, I felt like I had stepped into a dream.
Each season paints Longji in a different light.
In spring, the terraces are filled with water, reflecting the sky like mirrors. In summer, they turn into waves of vibrant green. Autumn—when I visited—is the golden season, as the ripe rice sways gently in the wind, glowing under the sun. And in winter, the terraces are dusted with snow, quiet and serene like a mountain fairytale.
The day began with a two-hour drive from Guilin 桂林 into the mountains. As we left the city behind, the landscape shifted into bamboo forests, small villages, and winding mountain roads. I felt my mind slowly calm with the scenery.
After arriving at Ping’an Village, we hiked up the mountain trail. Along the way, I passed by local Zhuang villagers—some carrying baskets of freshly harvested rice, others tending to water buffalo. They greeted us with warm smiles and calm energy. It felt like time had slowed down here.
By noon, our guide brought us to a local Zhuang family’s courtyard for lunch. It turned out to be one of the most heartwarming meals I’ve ever had. Freshly cooked mountain vegetables, smoky cured pork, sticky rice steamed in bamboo tubes—and the highlight: Longji oil tea.
I’d assumed “oil tea” was just a drink. Turns out, it’s a full-on, savory experience. Even better, we got to make it ourselves.
Our host showed us how to fry tea leaves and ginger with peanuts and puffed rice, then grind the mixture and pour hot water over it. The result was a rich, warm, slightly salty tea-soup that filled the courtyard with a toasty, comforting aroma. It’s a traditional welcome drink here, but more than that—it’s a symbol of hospitality and heritage.
Sitting there with a bowl of oil tea, surrounded by wooden houses, mountain air, and stories of old farming traditions, I felt completely grounded.
My trip to Longji wasn’t just about stunning views—it was about stepping into another way of life. A slower, simpler, deeply human rhythm that stays with you long after you leave.
If you’re looking for a day to truly remember, let Longji show you how beauty, culture, and kindness can come together—one step, one bowl of tea, and one breathtaking terrace at a time.
