Longji Huangluo Yao Village: Red Yao Ethnic & Long Hair Custom

Located in the heart of the Longji Rice Terraces scenic area, Huangluo Yao Village offers you a unique glimpse into the vibrant culture of the Red Yao people.

Apart from the unique culture of keeping long hair for all the females in the village, Huangluo Yao Village also has traditional wooden homes and stunning terraced landscapes. Now, the village is a must-visit for those seeking both natural beauty and cultural depth.

In this guide, we will walk you through essential facts about the village, local customs, top things to do, the best times to visit, and where to stay for an unforgettable experience in this mountainside gem.

An ethnic village at Longji Rice Terraces site

Facts of Huangluo Yao Village in Guilin

Long-hair Yao Woman

Location: About an hour and a half's drive northwest of downtown Guilin

Ethnic Group: Red Yao People, a branch of Yao nationality in China

Huangluo Yao Village is one of the thirteen villages that nestle in the Longji Rice Terraces scenic area. The village is home to around 60 households, all belonging to the Red Yao people - a branch of the Yao ethnic group. Situated in the central part of the scenic area, the village lies along the main route between Ping'an Village and Dazhai Village. A long river flows through the middle of the village, and visitors passing by can often see local women washing and combing their hair by the riverside.

The Red Yao women like red clothing, which prominently looks vibrant, symbolizing their courage and beauty. Their garments are adorned with intricate hand-embroidered patterns, and depending on the complexity of the design, a single piece of clothing can take several months or even years to complete.

Keeping Hair Long - A Huangluo Yao Village Custom

An elder Yao woman with black hair

Every woman living in Huangluo Yao Village keeps long hair without exception. On average, their hair is over 1.5 meters in length, with the longest reaching nearly two meters. In the Red Yao culture, long hair is a symbol of longevity, prosperity, and a long life. Thus, Red Yao women begin growing their hair from birth and maintain it using traditional hair care methods. Even women in their sixties or seventies still have thick, black hair.

Remarkably, Red Yao women only cut their hair once in their lives - when they turn 18 and come of age. The cut hair is either carefully preserved or made into hairpieces that are worn on their heads.

Interestingly, a woman's hairstyle reveals her marital status. For example, unmarried Red Yao women tie up their hair and completely cover it with a headpiece, as it is considered inappropriate for others to see an unmarried woman's hair.
It's worth mentioning that there are several Yao or Zhuang villages at the Longji Rice Terraces site, each with its own highlights. And it takes about 30 minutes to 1 hour to shuffle between them. So we highly recommend you visit one or two villages in one day and stay the night at the site.

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Top 5 Things to Do in Huangluo Yao Village

Apart from admiring the rice terraces in nearby areas, there are many amazing things to do when you visit Huangluo Yao Village.

1. Enjoy Cultural Performance

Yao women prepare for performance

Huangluo Yao Village provides a unique cultural performance centered around the tradition of long hair, which is a big hit with visitors. In addition, there is a grand celebration held every year during the Third Day of the Third Lunar Month, featuring special performances.

2. Visit a Local Family in the Village

Visit a Yao family at Longji Terraces site

With the guidance of a local tour guide, you can visit the homes of villagers and gain a deeper understanding of the Red Yao people's daily life and history of this village.

3. Visit the Museum of Huangluo Yao Village

Near the entrance of the village, there's a small museum that reveals the secrets of how Huangluo women have cared for their hair throughout history.

4. Try Local Food

Fill the bamboo with rice and steam it

The village also has many local restaurants where you can try traditional dishes such as bamboo rice, bamboo chicken, and stir-fried cured pork. Local people in Guilin prefer rice-based food, such as rice noodles and sticky rice buns. In a word, the taste of Guilin food tends to be a balance of sour, spicy, and savory elements. People would often use pickled vegetables, chili, and herbs as seasoning.

5. Admire the Wooden Architecture in the Village

Unique Yao-style buildings at Longji Terraces site

The houses in Huangluo Yao Village are entirely made of wood. The ground floor is typically used for keeping livestock, while the upper floors serve as the living area.

Because the village is built on a mountainside, some residents have separate entrances on different levels of their homes - one on the first floor, facing downhill, and the other on the upper floors, opening directly onto the mountain path above. This unique structure makes it more convenient to go up and down the mountain.

Best Time to Visit

Beautiful view at Longji Terraces site

Spring and autumn are the best seasons to visit the Longsheng Rice Terraces, where Huangluo Yao Village is located. During these times, the scenery is at its most stunning and the weather is comfortable. However, each season offers a different experience, so the best time to visit really depends on your personal preferences.

• Spring: This is the season of spring plowing. You can witness the rice seedlings sprouting and growing in the fields, full of vitality.
• Summer: The terraces are at their greenest. Looking out over the landscape, it feels like a boundless sea of lush greenery.
• Autumn: During the harvest season, the ripened rice turns the terraces golden. The weather is dry and pleasant - perfect for hiking along the narrow paths between the fields.
• Winter: After the harvest, the terraces are filled with water. On sunny days, they reflect the sky like giant mirrors.

In addition, if you’re interested in celebrating ethnic festivals, the Yao Village holds lively cultural performances during the Third Day of the Third Lunar Month each year. Activities include folk singing, floating river lanterns, and the traditional embroidered ball-tossing game.

How to Get to Huangluo Yao Village

Huangluo Yao Village is located within Longsheng County, but getting there from downtown Guilin can be a bit tricky. You'll need to make your way to the bus station on your own, take a long-distance bus to the Longji Rice Terraces scenic area, and then transfer to a shuttle bus that takes you up the mountain to the village.

However, if you plan your trip with us, we can arrange a private transfer for you—picking you up directly from your hotel and taking you straight to the village. We can also arrange for a guide to introduce you to the local culture and traditions of the village.

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Where to Stay in Huangluo Yao Village

A room in a 4-star hotel in Longji

If you're looking for a unique experience, consider spending a night in the village. Huangluo Yao Village, along with the entire Longsheng Rice Terraces scenic area, offers a variety of homestays, many of which are well-equipped and comfortable.

These guesthouses are traditional wooden houses that reflect the local ethnic style. While they may appear simple on the outside, each room is typically outfitted with modern amenities such as televisions and updated bathrooms. Some hotel owners here even speak English.

The best part is, you can choose a room with a window facing the rice terraces - so when you wake up in the morning and open the window, you'll be greeted by the breathtaking view of the sunrise casting its golden light across the fields.

Plan Your Guilin Tour With Us

There are more surprises waiting for you in Guilin! Feel free to contact us or email trip@odynovotours.com for planning a wonderful Guilin tour. Our travel experts have more than 10 years of experience in customizing itineraries for our guests from all over the world.