Media Center
Guilin's Longsheng county has emerged as a top place for international travelers, a place where lush landscapes and time-honored ethnic traditions come together to create unforgettable experiences.
Influencers watch Red Yao's intangible cultural heritage long-hair grooming at Huangluo Yao village. [Photo provided to en.gxzf.gov.cn]
This allure took center stage earlier this month when "The Next Station, Guangxi" — a flagship cultural tourism campaign — brought a delegation of global media and travel influencers to explore Longsheng's most iconic spots.
The tour, held on Dec 5 and 6, invited the group to dive deep into three of Longsheng's treasures: Longsheng Hot Spring Resort, Longji Terraced Fields and Huangluo Yao village.
Their on-site observations and content help showcase the county's unique charm to the world. The campaign is jointly organized by the Department of Culture and Tourism of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Air China, and China Daily.
Travelers arrive at Longsheng Hot Spring Resort and take a group photo at the entrance. [Photo provided to en.gxzf.gov.cn]
Longsheng Hot Spring Resort set the tone for the journey, living up to its promise of "genuine mountains, genuine water, and genuine hot springs". Surrounded by a national forest with over 95 percent tree coverage, the resort offered mineral-rich thermal waters sourced 1,200 meters underground.
The delegation soaked in the healing springs, with herbal pools blending Yao ethnic wellness wisdom becoming their particular favorite.
"We hope visitors don't just come for a soak," a resort official said. "We want them to stay and feel the rhythm of life in the mountains." The campaign has given the resort a global platform to showcase its focus on natural healing, cultural connection, and extended stays.
"My experience here was fantastic," said Balbashova Victoria from Russia. "I'll definitely return, and this time I'll bring friends and family."
Mexican influencer Max Carrera uses a drone to film the Longji Terraced Fields. [Photo provided to en.gxzf.gov.cn]
On the second day, the group traveled to Longji Terraced Fields, known as the "birthplace of terraced farming". Early winter transformed the landscape into a masterpiece: water-filled tiers terraces span the hills like silver mirrors, glistening under morning mist and sunlight.
Influencers used drones and short videos to capture the scene, highlighting both its natural beauty and the ancient farming wisdom behind its design.
Visitors interact warmly with local villagers and join in folk song and dance performances. [Photo provided to en.gxzf.gov.cn]
The tour concluded at Huangluo Yao village, famed as "China's top long-hair village". The delegation was fascinated by Red Yao women's floor-length jet-black hair — an intangible cultural heritage — and watched traditional hair-grooming rituals. They also joined local folk dances and sang with villagers, gaining a firsthand understanding of Yao culture's warmth and uniqueness.
Max praised Longji's breathtaking, seasonally changing terraces and the Yao people's fascinating long-hair tradition. He said his team's video about the tradition had sparked global interest, with many eager to visit and experience the culture themselves, and he highly recommended the destination.
Influencers take photos with Yao women who have long, jet-black hair flowing down to the ground. [Photo provided to en.gxzf.gov.cn]
Longsheng's growing popularity is backed by strong data. From January to October, the county welcomed 13.13 million visitors, a year-on-year increase of 11.6 percent. Inbound tourists surged 67.65 percent to 414,100, driven by improved travel routes, richer cultural festivals and better services for international guests.
"The Next Station, Guangxi" uses an innovative model that combines aviation, cultural tourism and international communication.
With themed flights from Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou to Guangxi, cross-border fare incentives and multi-channel promotions, the campaign continues to share Guangx's stories with the world. Longsheng is quickly becoming one of its most compelling chapters.
