Longsheng rice terraces--daytripping feasible?
Jan 2nd, 2007, 03:31 AM
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Longsheng rice terraces--daytripping feasible?
I have seen the question asked on this forum about visiting the rice terraces as a daytrip from Guilin or Yangshuo, but not seen an answer as to whether this makes any sense or would end up being too much of a traveling grind. I understand it is a 3 hour trip from Guilin. Is it rational to hire a driver to collect us early at a Guilin hotel, spend the day driving to and through the rice terraces area, then drop us in the evening at a Yangshuo hotel?
Or does viewing the Longsheng terraces really require an overnight trip?
Or does viewing the Longsheng terraces really require an overnight trip?
Jan 2nd, 2007, 05:51 AM
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Hi maytraveller:
We were in Yangshuo, Guilin and Longsheng in October. I think perhaps doing this trip in a day would be exhausting. Here are the times which these trips took us, using a 7 passenger van.
The trip between Guilin and Yangshuo is just about an hour maybe a bit more; the trip between Longsheng and Guilin is about 1 3/4 hours. (it certainly didn't take us 3 hours to do this drive)
The walk from the car park up to Ping'An to view the rice fields is about 1/2 hour each way maybe a bit shorter if you are in better shape than us. You walk up steps. You could probably just drive around below Ping'An and see enough of the terraces but it was so fascinating up in the village and the views were incredible that I am glad we took the time for an overnight.
If you have the time to stay over by all means go for it. It's a quiet night up in Ping'An if that's where you're headed but it was a highlight of our time in Guangxi.
regards,
We were in Yangshuo, Guilin and Longsheng in October. I think perhaps doing this trip in a day would be exhausting. Here are the times which these trips took us, using a 7 passenger van.
The trip between Guilin and Yangshuo is just about an hour maybe a bit more; the trip between Longsheng and Guilin is about 1 3/4 hours. (it certainly didn't take us 3 hours to do this drive)
The walk from the car park up to Ping'An to view the rice fields is about 1/2 hour each way maybe a bit shorter if you are in better shape than us. You walk up steps. You could probably just drive around below Ping'An and see enough of the terraces but it was so fascinating up in the village and the views were incredible that I am glad we took the time for an overnight.
If you have the time to stay over by all means go for it. It's a quiet night up in Ping'An if that's where you're headed but it was a highlight of our time in Guangxi.
regards,
Jan 2nd, 2007, 12:35 PM
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We got in contact via email with a local yangshou girl (and sorry I dont have her contact anymore but there was a few recommoneded on different forums - just search)
We had her organise a car to pick us up at the airport at Guillin and drive us straight there. We then spent the night so that we could walk around the terraces and take photos at our leisure (and enjoy the village) Early in the morning is the best photos of the terraces so this is a bonus.
Straight after breakfast we walked out of the terraces down to a main road which was about a 3 hour walk and a highlight. From there we caught a local bus back into Yangshou arriving there just as it became dark - it was a wonderful expereince. The cost on memory just under $100.- car, girl (cant call her a guide as such)and overnight in the village (basic accommodation of course)
We had her organise a car to pick us up at the airport at Guillin and drive us straight there. We then spent the night so that we could walk around the terraces and take photos at our leisure (and enjoy the village) Early in the morning is the best photos of the terraces so this is a bonus.
Straight after breakfast we walked out of the terraces down to a main road which was about a 3 hour walk and a highlight. From there we caught a local bus back into Yangshou arriving there just as it became dark - it was a wonderful expereince. The cost on memory just under $100.- car, girl (cant call her a guide as such)and overnight in the village (basic accommodation of course)
Jan 2nd, 2007, 02:13 PM
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Maytraveler:
This will be a return visit for me, but wife has never been. Based on a friends reco we have booked a three day guide with car.
April 5th: He'll pick us up at airport on Day 1, take us to the Sheraton in downtown Guilin. We'll have the whole afternoon to meander around town, see the reed flute cavern, Elephant Trunk Hill, etc.
Day 2: We will take the morning boat on the Li River to Yangshuo. Spend the day in and around Yangshuo, maybe rent bikes, have dinner and meet the guide who will drive up from Guilin..he has arranged good tix for the Yangshou Sound and Light Show which the same friend proclaims to be spectacular...designed and directed by the guy who wil be doing the shows for the Beijing Olympics. Following the show we will be driven back to Guilin
...a one hour drive according to guide.
Day 3: Guide will pick us up early and drive to Longsheng region. He says it's 1 1/2 hour drive. We'll meander around the rice paddies, photo ops, and haad back to Guilin late afternoon.
Next day he'll drive us to airport for flight to Shanghai.
I missed the paddies on previous visit in 1984...looking forward to it..have seen some astounding pix.
Have a great trip.
Stu T.
This will be a return visit for me, but wife has never been. Based on a friends reco we have booked a three day guide with car.
April 5th: He'll pick us up at airport on Day 1, take us to the Sheraton in downtown Guilin. We'll have the whole afternoon to meander around town, see the reed flute cavern, Elephant Trunk Hill, etc.
Day 2: We will take the morning boat on the Li River to Yangshuo. Spend the day in and around Yangshuo, maybe rent bikes, have dinner and meet the guide who will drive up from Guilin..he has arranged good tix for the Yangshou Sound and Light Show which the same friend proclaims to be spectacular...designed and directed by the guy who wil be doing the shows for the Beijing Olympics. Following the show we will be driven back to Guilin
...a one hour drive according to guide.
Day 3: Guide will pick us up early and drive to Longsheng region. He says it's 1 1/2 hour drive. We'll meander around the rice paddies, photo ops, and haad back to Guilin late afternoon.
Next day he'll drive us to airport for flight to Shanghai.
I missed the paddies on previous visit in 1984...looking forward to it..have seen some astounding pix.
Have a great trip.
Stu T.
Jan 5th, 2007, 09:06 AM
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Hi, maytraveller
We wnet to Longsheng rice terrace last Nov. We left from Yangshuo in the morning around 9 am and had lunch in Longsheng. In the afternoon, we went back to Guilin.
It was rainning and cloudy in Longsheng so our tour guide took us thru the shortcuts. I liked the shortcuts very much.
We stayed 3 nights in Guilin and 1 night in YangShuo.
I think Longsheng would be a good daytrip if you stay in Guilin for more than 3 days.
We wnet to Longsheng rice terrace last Nov. We left from Yangshuo in the morning around 9 am and had lunch in Longsheng. In the afternoon, we went back to Guilin.
It was rainning and cloudy in Longsheng so our tour guide took us thru the shortcuts. I liked the shortcuts very much.
We stayed 3 nights in Guilin and 1 night in YangShuo.
I think Longsheng would be a good daytrip if you stay in Guilin for more than 3 days.
Jan 6th, 2007, 02:55 AM
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Thanks for the responses to all. The geography makes logistics a little difficult in this area but I think what I am considering sounds do-able.
We have three days in the area and we wanted to spend more time in Yangshuo than Guilin, avoiding the Li river daytrip that typically leaves only a short period of time in Yangshuo. Tower has solved this nicely by having his guide meet him late in the day in Yangshuo for the light show.
And the pictures posted from travelers to the rice terraces really are astounding...
Yes, flying in and out of Guilin and trying to see two areas on opposite sides of the city makes someback-tracking unavoidable.
Tower and ghenghis: can you share what source you used to arrange a guide for this area?
much obliged,
maytraveller
We have three days in the area and we wanted to spend more time in Yangshuo than Guilin, avoiding the Li river daytrip that typically leaves only a short period of time in Yangshuo. Tower has solved this nicely by having his guide meet him late in the day in Yangshuo for the light show.
And the pictures posted from travelers to the rice terraces really are astounding...
Yes, flying in and out of Guilin and trying to see two areas on opposite sides of the city makes someback-tracking unavoidable.
Tower and ghenghis: can you share what source you used to arrange a guide for this area?
much obliged,
maytraveller
Jan 6th, 2007, 08:49 PM
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May:
We are using JadeLeo...he is very nice to deal with and was recommneded on this forum. You can reach him at
[email protected]
He has his own car and speaks English very well.
Stu T.
We are using JadeLeo...he is very nice to deal with and was recommneded on this forum. You can reach him at
[email protected]
He has his own car and speaks English very well.
Stu T.
Jan 7th, 2007, 07:55 AM
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Thanks for the tip, Stu. I had not had much luck searching this forum but I see JadeLeo is a regular contributor on tripadvisor. I will e-mail him and see what develops.
althom will try to write a report, hope I get a chance to see Stu's before I go. I see on other threads that you are going on a Russian river cruise this year instead--we've enjoyed both Moscow and StP before and the river trip sounds really fascinating--hope to see your report too.
maytraveller
althom will try to write a report, hope I get a chance to see Stu's before I go. I see on other threads that you are going on a Russian river cruise this year instead--we've enjoyed both Moscow and StP before and the river trip sounds really fascinating--hope to see your report too.
maytraveller
Jan 8th, 2007, 02:57 PM
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May
We had a group of 10 so we had our private tour. Plus, most of people in the group are bi-ligual so we arrange through Chinese travel agency.
However, I did meet a very nice tour guide who is graduating from tourism major. She was the guide on our Li River cruise. I really liked her English translation of different sceneries. I felt she really spent some effort in finding good translation to those very-hard-to-translate rock names.
I felt that I don't usually encounter a tour guide in China that has true and sincere enthusiasm about the place they are guiding.
I will post her email after I go home.
We had a group of 10 so we had our private tour. Plus, most of people in the group are bi-ligual so we arrange through Chinese travel agency.
However, I did meet a very nice tour guide who is graduating from tourism major. She was the guide on our Li River cruise. I really liked her English translation of different sceneries. I felt she really spent some effort in finding good translation to those very-hard-to-translate rock names.
I felt that I don't usually encounter a tour guide in China that has true and sincere enthusiasm about the place they are guiding.
I will post her email after I go home.
Jan 8th, 2007, 04:54 PM
#17
May - yes, I'll do a trip report - in fact, I'll do two! This will be a busy year for me, as I've got plans for Peru in April with my daughter and Russia in June with my sister. I'm now spending my time split among the different Fodor's boards! 
Jan 8th, 2007, 06:56 PM
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Hi, May
here is the guide's email
[email protected]
Her name is Emily. My Chinese name is Chinglan. (In case you gonna write to her, she wouldn't know who Ghengis is.)
Good luck with your trip.
here is the guide's email
[email protected]
Her name is Emily. My Chinese name is Chinglan. (In case you gonna write to her, she wouldn't know who Ghengis is.)
Good luck with your trip.
Jan 8th, 2007, 07:00 PM
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Also, I wonder if you would be interested in the photos I took in Guilin.
http://travel.webshots.com/album/555508218gxQyqK
http://travel.webshots.com/album/555508218gxQyqK
