Located 2 ½ hours northeast of Guilin and one of the first areas to be settled in southern China, Longsheng offers a stunning combination of scenery and rural culture in an accessible village to village walking trip. Longsheng is an area of forested highlands and miles of rice terraces that line the hilltops. It has taken 18 generations to build these beautiful landscapes by the local Yao, Dong and Zhuang people. The Yao people retreated from the west 500 years ago and are one of the most colourful in China known for their traditional clothes and coned hair. The Zhuang people are the largest minority in China and share a cultural and ancestral heritage with both Han and groups such as far away as northern Thailand.

By trekking away from the roads you experience the countryside and communities like the locals, as a pedestrian. The trek begins with a short walk up from the end of the road to a traditional building converted into a small hotel near the Yao village of Dazhai. From Dazhai we travel about 18 kilometres (11 miles) overland through forests and farms to a guesthouse near the Zhuang village of Ping’An. On the third day after taking some time to explore Ping’An we walk down the mountain to the waiting car for a transfer back to Guilin or Yangshuo.

This itinerary is not for everyone but for outdoor enthusiasts and those seeking to experience the rural China of past it is ideal.

This private guided tour is full board and includes transfers from Guilin, luggage storage and provision of a comfortable day pack for the duration of the walk - comfortable shoes/clothing are required.

Depart from Guilin for by Private car to begin your Private guided multi-day trek through the minority villages and highland rice terraces of the Longsheng region. This includes all meals, admissions and guiding around the Longsheng area en route to your guesthouse. Commence your first night with a stay in a village guesthouse in the Yao minority village of Dazhai.
Enjoy a fine and eclectic mix of fare. Enjoy lunch (included in tour price). Enjoy dinner (included in tour price).

The local guesthouses are actually staying in the local style building which, perched hillside are typically made entirely of wood with no nails. Accommodation is basic but clean and hygienic. Dazhai village is rural pedestrian access Yao area. Part of the Sino-Tibetan Miao-Yao ethno linguistic group, the Yao minority is one of the most colorful in China known for their traditional clothes.

The spectacularly terraced rice paddies 90km northwest of Guilin cling impossibly to sheer hillsides. The most famous section is called "Dragon's Backbone", with the terraced rice paddies like the shining scales of the dragon down the steep slopes. Lush bamboo groves and small hillside villages show off the rich culture of the Zhuang and Yao people.

Travel overland with your private guide from the Yao village of Dazhai through forests and valleys of rice terraces to the Zhuang village of Ping'An. Basic Accommodation. Breakfast Lunch and Dinner included this day. Enjoy lunch (included in tour price). Enjoy dinner (included in tour price).

The local guesthouses are actually staying in the local style building perched hillside and typically made entirely of wood with no nails. Accommodation is basic but clean and hygienic with bathrooms, great local food and attentive friendly service. Ping'An is a walking access only village of the Zhuang people.

Trek completion from the village of Ping'An to your car where for a private drive back to Guilin. This include breakfast, lunch and touring while making your way from your guesthouse back to the van. This day can finish back in Guilin/Yangshuo or at the airport for travel on to your next destination. Enjoy lunch (included in tour price).

Depart from Guilin International airport - end of itinerary.

Guilin is situated in the northeast of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region on the west bank of the Li River. Its name means "forest of Sweet Osmanthus", owing to the large number of fragrant Sweet Osmanthus trees located in the city. The city has long been renowned for its unique scenery.