Jinkeng Village, also known as Dazhai Village, is located in Longji Terraced Fields Scenic Area in Longsheng County, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. If one has one or two nights spend in Longsheng, Jinkeng is absolutely the best village to visit. As of 2014, it is the one and only village with cable cars and it is very large as is the scale of terraces.
Jinkeng is farther than Ping’an with about 22 km from the ticket office with 40-minute driving time, thus it is more rural and quieter. It is a Yao minority inhabited area, mainly containing Dazhai Village and five small hamlets around including Tiantou Village.
The above photo shows Tiantou Village which is located halfway up the mountain, and from a distance, it almost blends into the surrounding terraced fields. The buildings in the village are all suspended wooden buildings built against the mountain, which have a strong sense of time.
The entrances to the village and to the ticket booth for the cable cars are both near the parking lot. Upon entering the gate, one needs to cover a short distance away there is a wind rain bridge. Go across the bridge and the climbing starts.
There are three viewpoints. The viewpoint No.3 is the arrival place of cable cars, offering a nice panorama view. While climbing up to the viewpoint No.3, hikers will pass viewpoint No.1 and viewpoint No.2, in which different views are offered for photography. One and a half hours to two hours are needed if hiking from the bottom to the mountaintop.
Gold Buddha Summit is a sightseeing terrace. It is the best terrace to see the sunrise and sunset in Jinkeng Area. Standing on the terrace, a phoenix consists of several long ridges of fields is in sight. Villagers believe it is the Buddha who allows them to see the wonder. In order to show their gratitude and respect to the Buddha, they call the terrace Gold Buddha Summit.
West Hill , above photo, is one of the the three viewpoint in Jinkeng Villgae. Standing on the West Hill sightseeing terrace, the Cat Mountain (2141.5 meters high), highest mountain in Guangxi Province, is visible, besides, the highest peak in Longji Terraced Fields area, the Fupingbao, can also be seen. 80% area of the Longji Terraced Fields is under the West Hill. Stream, clouds and insects’ sounds are all fascinating attractions on the terrace.
Dazhai Village, is located in Jinkeng Red Yao Terraced Fields scenic spot. Through the cultivation and cultivation of the Red Yao ethnic group who have lived for generations, it has formed such a spectacular terraced landscape. The living customs, folk culture, residential architecture, and terraced landscape of the Red Yao ethnic group are integrated, showcasing a natural landscape with ethnic characteristics.
The characteristic of Jinkeng terraced fields is that they maintain a good ancient and rustic Hongyao folk customs. Its hair accessories, jewelry, clothing, cuisine, wedding customs, festivals, etc. are all ancient charm and mysterious and unique.
Compared to the Ping'an Zhuang Terraced Fields and Longji Ancient Zhuang Village in Longji, the Jinkeng Terraced Fields are more primitive, and the terraced landscape is also more vast and magnificent, with scenic spots for sunrise and sunset. Jinkeng Terrace is located deep in the Longji Terrace Scenic Area, surrounded by mountains on all sides, resembling a natural large sinkhole. Compared to the other two scenic spots, the terrain here is steeper and the layers of terraced fields are more complex.
Here, you can climb a higher observation deck to have a panoramic view. Due to the later development of this scenic area, the commercial atmosphere here is relatively less, and the village still maintains a more rustic atmosphere. The cable car has been opened at the entrance of Dazhai Scenic Area, which directly leads to the Golden Buddha Peak, making it much more convenient.
Travel Tips
Address: Dazhai Village, Longji Terraced Field Scenic Area, Longsheng County, Guilin City
Phone: 0773-7583188
Opening hours: 08:00-18:00
Ticket price: included in Longji Terraced Field Scenic Area