A traveler asked: “Ping’an village or Longji village — I need to choose between these two villages. Which is the most scenic and authentic?” This is a very understandable question — but there is one useful clarification before choosing. Longji Rice Terraces (龙脊梯田, Lóngjǐ Tītián) refers to the wider rice-terrace scenic area near Longsheng (龙胜, Lóngshèng), north of Guilin. It is not simply one village competing with Ping’an. The comparison most travelers are actually making is between Ping’an Zhuang Village (平安壮寨, Píng’ān Zhuàngzhài) and the Dazhai/Jinkeng (大寨 / 金坑, Dàzhài / Jīnkēng) area. So which should you choose? For a first visit, especially if you want beautiful scenery combined with village atmosphere, I would choose Ping’an. Why Choose Ping’an? Ping’an is particularly attractive if you want: It therefore works very well for travelers who want to experience the Longji landscape without turning the visit into a serious hiking expedition. Two of the best-known viewpoints around Ping’an are Seven Stars with Moon (七星伴月, Qīxīng Bànyuè) and Nine Dragons and Five Tigers (九龙五虎, Jiǔlóng Wǔhǔ). Rather than racing between viewpoints, allow time simply to walk through the village and terraces. When Is Dazhai/Jinkeng the Better Choice? If your definition of “most scenic” means larger and more dramatic mountain panoramas, I would give Dazhai/Jinkeng the advantage. The Jinkeng Red Yao Terraced Fields (金坑红瑶梯田, Jīnkēng Hóngyáo Tītián) cover a broader mountainous landscape and offer several impressive viewpoints. This area is particularly appealing to travelers who enjoy photography, hiking and spending more time exploring on foot. So I would simplify the choice this way: Which Feels More Authentic? I would be careful with the word “authentic.” Both Ping’an and Dazhai/Jinkeng are established tourism destinations. Neither should be imagined as an isolated mountain village untouched by tourism. Ping’an can feel quite visitor-oriented along its main lanes, particularly during busy daytime periods. The larger Dazhai/Jinkeng area gives travelers more opportunity to walk away from the busiest sections and experience quieter parts of the landscape. But authenticity isn’t necessarily about finding somewhere with no tourists. The terraces themselves are part of a living agricultural landscape shaped by generations of local communities. Slowing down, walking beyond the main viewpoints and spending time in the area will usually tell you far more about Longji than simply trying to identify which village is supposedly the least touristy. The Best Decision May Be to Stay Overnight If your itinerary allows it, my strongest recommendation is to stay one night in the Longji Rice Terraces rather than visiting only as a quick day trip from Guilin or Yangshuo. For a first visit, I would be very happy staying in Ping’an. Walk through the terraces during the late afternoon, have dinner in the village and then go out again early the following morning. Once many day-trippers have departed, the experience can feel completely different. The mountains become quieter, the village becomes part of the experience rather than simply somewhere you walk through, and changing light across the terraces can be more memorable than trying to collect every famous viewpoint. My Recommendation Choose Ping’an if this is your first Longji visit and you want the best overall combination of scenery, accessibility and village atmosphere. Choose Dazhai/Jinkeng instead if hiking and the most expansive terrace panoramas matter more to you than having a compact village experience. And whichever you choose, consider spending a night. Longji is one of those places where slowing down can make a much bigger difference than choosing the “perfect” viewpoint. Further Reading 2-Week China Honeymoon Itinerary: Shanghai, Chongqing, Zhangjiajie & Yangshuo — AI Travel Planner AnswersA useful example of how Yangshuo can fit into a broader China journey, particularly when you want to balance cities with slower countryside experiences. Where Should You Go on Your First Trip to China?A broader guide to choosing destinations according to the kind of China experience you actually want. About This Answer This article is based on a real traveler question answered by the ChinaTravelBUG AI Travel Planner. We publish selected questions because the practical decisions faced by one traveler often help many others planning similar journeys. Verification Note — August 16, 2026: Place names and general destination information were reviewed for publication on August 16, 2026. Tourism arrangements, access routes, opening hours, ticketing systems and local conditions can change. Travelers should confirm current information with official tourism or accommodation sources before visiting. Traveler questions may be lightly edited or anonymized for privacy and readability. The planning answer is preserved as practical travel guidance, with editorial context and verification added where appropriate. Planning Your Own China Trip? Every traveler has different interests, time limits and energy levels. Ask the ChinaTravelBUG AI Travel Planner your own question and use it to work through your China itinerary one decision at a time. See China. Understand It Better.

Staying connected in mainland China is one of the most common concerns for international travelers, particularly if they need access to familiar overseas websites and apps. A traveler considering a 3 Hong Kong (3HK/My3) eSIM for Hong Kong and mainland China asked whether it would allow access to American websites. The Traveler’s Question Has anyone tried the My3 eSIM services in HK and China? Were you able to access American website? Thanks. AI Travel Planner Answer Yes — 3HK/My3 is a reasonable option for Hong Kong and mainland China, provided the specific plan you buy includes mainland-China roaming. Importantly, 3 Hong Kong currently states that its mainland-China roaming passes can use WhatsApp, Facebook and Instagram without a VPN, and its China/HK/Macau data pack makes the same claim. (3 Hong Kong) That strongly suggests the roaming data is handled differently from an ordinary mainland Chinese internet connection. So for the question about “American websites”: many normally restricted international services should be accessible when using the 3HK roaming mobile data connection. However, I wouldn’t promise that every American website or app will work—3HK specifically confirms those social platforms, not every US service. One important distinction: if you switch from the My3/3HK mobile data to hotel Wi-Fi in mainland China, you’re then using a mainland internet connection, so your experience can be different. This distinction between internationally routed roaming/eSIM data and local Wi-Fi is worth understanding. Before purchasing, I’d confirm with 3HK that the exact My3 eSIM package you’re considering includes mainland China and ask whether the international services you specifically need—Google, Gmail, YouTube, etc.—are supported. Further Reading Internet in China Made Easy Useful for understanding the differences between eSIMs, international roaming, mainland Wi-Fi and internet restrictions. ChinaTravelBUG Verification Note Last verified: August 16, 2026 3 Hong Kong currently states that its qualifying Chinese Mainland and Macau roaming services allow customers to use WhatsApp, Facebook and Instagram without a VPN. That is useful evidence that travelers using the relevant 3HK roaming connection in mainland China can access at least those overseas services specifically identified by 3HK. However, travelers should not interpret this as a guarantee that every American or international website and app will work. Individual services may behave differently, and roaming arrangements, routing and product terms can change. Before purchasing, check that your exact 3HK/My3 eSIM or roaming package includes mainland China, rather than assuming that every My3 product provides the same coverage. If access to a particular service such as Google, Gmail or YouTube is essential, confirm that specific service with 3HK before traveling. Also remember that using hotel, restaurant or public Wi-Fi in mainland China is different from remaining on your 3HK roaming mobile-data connection. Switching networks can therefore change which overseas services are accessible. About This Traveler Question This question was adapted from a real traveler discussion. Personal identifying details have been omitted. The AI Travel Planner answer above is shown as originally generated, without editorial rewriting. A note about this AI Travel Planner answer: This answer is shown as originally generated, without editorial rewriting. Travel information can change, especially internet access, mobile services, eSIM and roaming arrangements, app availability and provider terms. Always verify time-sensitive information with the relevant provider before purchasing or traveling. Related China Travel Reading For the broader picture of getting online after arriving in mainland China, Internet in China Made Easy explains the practical differences between international roaming, travel eSIMs, mainland mobile connections and Wi-Fi. If you’re preparing the rest of your phone before departure, 15 Essential Apps Every First-Time Visitor Should Install Before Flying to China (2026) covers the payment, transportation, translation and travel apps that are genuinely useful once you’re in China. And because getting online is only half the technology preparation, How to Use Alipay & WeChat Pay in Chinaexplains how overseas visitors can prepare China’s two major mobile-payment platforms before their trip. The important distinction is simple: an international roaming eSIM and mainland Chinese Wi-Fi are not necessarily giving your phone the same route to the internet. Understanding that difference can prevent a lot of confusion when something works on mobile data but stops working after you connect to hotel Wi-Fi. Planning Your Own China Trip? Getting your phone ready is one of the most useful things you can do before your first trip to China. Internet access, payments, maps, transportation and translation become considerably easier when the essentials are prepared before you arrive. Tell the ChinaTravelBUG AI Travel Planner where you’re going, how long you’re staying and what you need help with, and use it to work through your China trip one decision at a time. Try the FREE ChinaTravelBUG AI Travel Planner.