The women of the Red Yao tribe are known to have the longest hair in the world. Here’s how to visit and learn about their culture at Huangluo Yao Village on a day trip from Guilin, China.
“And men, be careful because the women will pinch your butt.”
Those were the tour guide’s words as we approached the village of the Red Yao tribe. She winked and chuckled as she said this, so we weren’t sure whether she was trying to pull our naive legs or whether she really meant it.
The Spaniard sitting behind me thought something must have been lost in translation so he repeated her words, “Pinch? What do you mean they pinch the butts?”
More laughter ensued as those around him demonstrated what he had indeed heard correctly.
Visiting the Red Yao tribe in China
One of the most unique places I visited during my trip to southwestern China was Longsheng in Guangxi Autonomous Region, an area which is home to the Longji rice terraces and the famed women of the Red Yao tribe. We specifically visited the Huangluo Yao Village.
Despite what our tour guide told us, what makes the women of the Huangluo Yao Village world-renowned isn’t their playful practice of butt-pinching, but rather their hair. You see, the women of the Red Yao tribe have some of the longest hair in the world – as in their hair is almost the same length as their height!
The Women with the Longest Hair in the World
The women of the Red Yao tribe only cut their long, black hair once in their life (at 16 when they are ready to start looking for a husband), and as a result, many of them boast a mane that is 1.4 to 1.8 meters in length depending on their age.
There are different hairstyles for every stage in life and you can tell a lot about a woman by the way she wears her locks. For example,
- A young unmarried woman will wear her hair covered by a black scarf
- A married woman with no children will wear her hair down in two braids
- A married woman with children will wrap her hair around her head like a turban and wear it with a bun in the front
Up until 1987, the women’s hair was considered so sacred that it could only be seen by her family. If a man accidentally came across a young woman without her black headscarf on, he would have been forced to live with the girl’s family for 3 years as their son-in-law.
However, ever since that tradition was abandoned, the village has become somewhat of a tourist destination drawing curious travellers who want to to catch a glimpse of the longest hair in the world and learn more about this village’s way of life.
What do the women of the Red Yao tribe use in their hair?
A common question from us visitors was, how do the Red Yao women wash their hair and what do they put in it?
After all, if you’re a girl with shoulder-length hair you already know the amount of work that goes into brushing, washing and conditioning those locks. Now imagine doing that with hair that reaches the floor!
Well, the secret to the long, healthy hair of the Red Yao women is their traditional method. They wash their hair in the river using a special homemade shampoo which is essentially fermented rice water made from Longsheng rice.
Dating rituals of the Red Yao tribe
After learning about the different hairstyles from our guide, we also got a lesson in dating and what men look for when it comes to finding a bride. So what does it take to get hitched around these parts?
A big voice – This is because the man is often far from home tending the rice fields, therefore, the wife needs a loud voice in order to call her husband back home when lunch is ready to be served.
Large feet – Because the people of this tribe live in the hills, they need to be strong climbers, and nothing says ‘I’m a strong climber‘ better than Hobbit-sized feet.
A big butt – Any woman who is going to be good at childbearing needs to have a large, curvaceous, plump derriere. Think Beyonce style.
Small hands – The women from this tribe do a lot of needlework and small hands are best for such fine, delicate work.
Now moving on to dating rituals – it appears that there is a bit of a dating game in this community. Literally.
If a woman is interested in a man, she will throw a ball at her suitor to express her interest and he will catch it. If there happens to be a lot of competition among the males for this one particular female, the men will battle it out and fight to get the ball.
Whoever catches this ball will then enter into a courtship with the potential bride and they will get to know each other over the course of a year.
If everything goes well, a wedding will be in order at the end of that time frame.
The only worry – what if your love interest isn’t strong enough to beat out the others?
How to visit Huangluo Yao Village
The best way to visit the Red Yao tribe is by joining a guided tour departing from Guilin. This tour is typically a full-day experience and you are accompanied by a local Chinese guide.
This Longji Rice Terraces Full-Day Private Tour visits the rice terraces, Huangluo, Ping’An and Dazhai Village.
It’s a 1.5-hour drive there and then a 2-hour drive back.
To end things, here is a little video Sam and I made during our visit to the Huangluo Yao Village, and yes there is plenty of butt-pinching and awkward singing by the foreigners who got pulled on stage. Enjoy!
Visiting Huangluo Yao Village: Practical Tips for an Ethical & Enjoyable Trip
Huangluo Yao Village Essentials
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Huangluo (黄洛瑶寨), Jinzhu Township, Longsheng County, Guangxi Province, within the Longji Scenic Area |
| Tribe | Red Yao (a branch of the Yao ethnic minority) |
| Population | Around 60-70 households, roughly 400 residents |
| Hair Record | Average length around 1.4-1.8 m; the village holds a Guinness World Record for longest hair in a group of women |
| Language | Yao (Mienic family) plus Mandarin |
| Altitude | Roughly 400 m above sea level, in the foothill zone of the Longji rice terraces |
| Entry Fee | Typically bundled with Longji Scenic Area admission; check current pricing when booking, as it varies by season and whether it’s pre-included in a tour |
This table covers the basics worth knowing before you go.
The Deeper History Behind the Hair Tradition
The custom on display in Huangluo runs a lot deeper than a single photogenic performance. The Yao people’s history in this region stretches back roughly two thousand years, and within that history, hair has long carried specific meaning: length is tied to ideas of longevity, prosperity, and family fortune, not just personal style.
What most visitors don’t realize is that a woman’s hair as an adult usually isn’t all grown at once. The hair cut at her coming-of-age ceremony is traditionally kept rather than discarded — often passed down or later incorporated back into her styling — so what you see coiled into an up-do during the stage show is typically a blend of hair grown at different stages of her life, wound together into a single style. It’s part of why the hairstyles function as a kind of visual record of where a woman is in her life, not just decoration.
If you want more than the stage show gives you, look for the small museum near the village entrance, which goes into the history of the hair-care tradition in more depth — combs, textiles, and the story behind the custom, at a slower pace than the performance allows.
Best Time to Visit & What to Expect Weather-Wise
| Season | Daytime Highs | Landscape | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar-May | 15-24°C | Emerald terraces, occasional peach blossoms | Low to moderate |
| Jun-Aug | 28-34°C, humid | Lush green, heavy rain showers | High, domestic summer holidays |
| Sep-Oct | 20-28°C | Golden paddies before harvest | Moderate |
| Nov-Feb | 5-15°C | Misty hills, sparse rice, clearer air | Quiet, some homestays close |
Getting There from Guilin
Public bus (budget option): Take a bus from Guilin to Longsheng Bus Terminal, then transfer to a Longji-bound tourist bus toward Ping’an or Dazhai and ask the driver to stop at Huangluo. It’s a longer, more hands-on route, but considerably cheaper than a private car.
Pre-booked minivan: Hostels in Guilin and Yangshuo often bundle round-trip transport with a village ticket. Departures are typically early morning with a return in the late afternoon.
Private day tour (easiest for first-timers): A guide and air-conditioned car covering Huangluo and the rice-terrace stops removes the guesswork of bus transfers and lets you set your own pace, at a higher price point than the DIY options.
Where to Stay
Most visitors base themselves in Guilin and treat Huangluo as a day trip, but staying a night up in the terraces themselves is a genuinely different experience worth considering if you have the time.
In Guilin, the Sheraton Guilin Hotel sits right on the Li River within walking distance of Elephant Trunk Hill and the pedestrian shopping streets, with a pool and multiple restaurants that make it a comfortable base for families or anyone wanting a full-service stay before or after the trip out to Longji. Travelers keeping costs down tend to land at the Guilin Central Hostel, a short stroll from Zhengyang Pedestrian Street with dorms and private rooms, an on-site bar, and free Wi-Fi throughout.
For something different, the Baike Boutique Hotel in Ping’an village puts you inside the Longji terraces overnight rather than just passing through on a day tour. It’s family-run, with terrace-view balcony rooms and home-cooked meals, and unlike most lodging further up the mountain it’s an easy, flat walk in from the parking area rather than a long climb with luggage — a detail worth knowing if you’re not up for hauling bags up steep stone steps. It suits couples or anyone chasing a sunrise-over-the-terraces photo without the pre-dawn drive from Guilin.
Booking a Tour
If you’d rather join a small group than go private, a shared-group Longji Rice Terraces and Minority Village Day Tour covers Huangluo and a walk through the terraces with round-trip transport included, capped at a modest group size. For a more flexible pace with hiking built in, the Longji Rice Terraces Long-Hair Minority Village Private Day Trip adds a trek to two of Ping’an’s best-known viewpoints after the village visit, with lunch included.
Cultural Etiquette: What to Do and Avoid
| Do | Don’t |
|---|---|
| Greet elders with a nod, and a simple “Nong-vou” (hello in Yao) if you want to try it | Pat children on the head — this is treated as an adult-only gesture in Yao culture |
| Carry small bills for crafts; vendors often can’t break large notes | Photograph a woman mid hair-wrapping without asking first — it’s a private moment, not a photo op |
| Accept a small taste of homemade rice wine if it’s offered, and sip slowly | Leave litter behind — waste removal is a genuine strain on the village |
On the butt-pinching: during the stage show, performers sometimes playfully pinch a male volunteer pulled up to join in. It’s staged, good-natured fun rather than anything hostile, and you can always smile and step back if you’d rather not participate.
What Happens in the Stage Show
| Segment | Roughly | What You’ll See |
|---|---|---|
| Hair-Unfurling Ritual | 5 min | Women unwind their hair and re-style it into an elaborate up-do in front of the audience |
| Courtship Skit | 7 min | A playful re-enactment of the ball-throwing courtship tradition, with local men “competing” for it |
| Drum & Dance Finale | 8 min | Group dancing with a fast drumbeat; a few visitors are usually pulled in to join |
The full show runs about 20 minutes and typically repeats a few times a day — worth confirming showtimes with your guide or at the village entrance when you arrive, since schedules shift.
The Longji Long Hair Festival
Beyond the daily performance, Huangluo and the surrounding Yao villages hold a larger annual gathering, sometimes called the Long Hair Festival, timed to the third day of the third lunar month on the traditional Chinese calendar. Rather than a handful of performers, this brings together women from Huangluo and neighboring Yao communities — well over a hundred by most accounts — who dress in full traditional costume and sing by the riverside as part of the celebration.
Because it follows the lunar calendar rather than a fixed Western date, it falls at a different point each spring, so it’s worth checking with a local guide or your accommodation for that year’s date if the timing matters to your trip. It’s a considerably bigger, more communal event than what you’ll see on a typical day visit, and worth building a trip around if your travel dates happen to line up.
Beyond the Stage Show: A Few More Things to Do
- Rice-water shampoo demo — a short, inexpensive peek into how the fermented rice-water hair rinse is made, sometimes with a small sample to take home.
- Embroidery workshop — try stitching a simple Yao motif onto indigo cotton; materials fees vary.
- Riverside bamboo-tube cooking — sticky rice, mushrooms, and pork stuffed into bamboo and roasted over an open flame, usually bookable through the village co-op.
- Terrace viewpoint walk — an easy hour-long there-and-back hike with good views over the paddies, especially nice near sunset.
Buying Souvenirs
| Item | What to Look For |
|---|---|
| Hand-woven headscarves | Uneven dye patterns suggest handwork; anything too uniform is likely machine-printed |
| Wooden hair combs | Locally carved wood often has a faint natural scent |
| Black rice | Check for a legible harvest date on the packaging |
| Silver jewelry | Genuine silver feels cool to the touch and tarnishes slightly over time; shiny alloy pieces that never dull are usually fake |
A modest opening counter-offer is normal and expected — this income matters directly to the families selling, so bargain lightly rather than aggressively.
Traveling Responsibly
- Pack out your trash — village bins are for organic waste only.
- Book local where you can — ask whether your tour or homestay channels a meaningful share of profits back to residents.
- Stay out of the marked washing wells — these are used for hair-washing and aren’t for wading or dipping feet.
A Sample Day from Guilin
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 07:30 | Depart Guilin by private car or minivan |
| 09:30 | Photo stop at a Longji terrace viewpoint |
| 10:30 | Arrive Huangluo; catch the stage show |
| 11:00 | Rice-water shampoo demo and browsing |
| 12:00 | Bamboo-tube lunch by the river |
| 13:30 | Terrace walk to a panoramic viewpoint |
| 16:00 | Depart for Guilin |
| 18:30 | Arrive back in Guilin or Yangshuo |
Before You Go: Final Checklist
- ☑ Offline maps downloaded — cell signal is patchy in the terraces
- ☑ Small bills — there’s no ATM on-site
- ☑ A travel towel — light drizzle and sweaty hikes are both likely
- ☑ A packable rain shell — subtropical showers can appear with little warning
- ☑ A phrase or two of Mandarin ready if you want to ask before taking someone’s photo
The Longest Hair in the World: Red Yao Tribe FAQ
Who are the Red Yao women?
The Red Yao are a branch of the Yao ethnic minority in southern China. In Huangluo Yao Village (Longsheng, Guangxi), the women are known for their ankle- to floor-length hair, vibrant red-trimmed clothing, and traditions tied closely to the surrounding terraced rice landscape.
Where is Huangluo Yao Village, and how far is it from Guilin?
Huangluo sits in Longsheng County on the edge of the Longji rice terraces, roughly 1.5-2 hours by road from Guilin. Most travelers see it on a full-day outing that also includes one or two terrace viewpoints or nearby villages like Ping’an or Dazhai.
Why are the Red Yao known for having some of the longest hair in the world?
Local custom prizes lifelong hair growth, and many women wear hair nearly as long as their height, often 1.4-1.8 meters. Until the late 1980s their hair was considered private; today it’s presented openly as cultural heritage and a symbol of beauty and prosperity, and the village holds a Guinness World Record for longest hair in a group of women.
How long is the hair, and when is it cut?
Lengths commonly range from 1.4 to 1.8 meters. Traditionally hair was cut once, around age 16, marking readiness for courtship, then preserved and incorporated into later styles, so a woman’s up-do often blends her current hair with earlier saved lengths.
What do the different hairstyles signify?
Styles signal life stage: an unmarried woman covers her hair with a black scarf, a married woman without children may wear twin braids, and a mother wraps a turban-style up-do with a front bun. Locals can read these looks at a glance.
How do Red Yao women wash and care for their hair?
They use a fermented rice-water rinse made from local Longsheng rice, soaked and naturally fermented, sometimes scented with peel or herbs. Hair is traditionally washed at the river or at designated village washing spots.
Is the butt-pinching thing during the show real?
During the stage show, performers sometimes tease a male volunteer with a playful pinch as part of the routine. It’s staged and lighthearted rather than meant to embarrass anyone, and participation is voluntary.
What will I actually see or do during a visit?
Expect a short cultural performance built around hair-unfurling and a courtship skit, time to walk the village lanes, optional demos like the rice-water shampoo or embroidery, handicraft stalls, and an easy walk to a nearby riverside or terrace viewpoint.
When is the best time to go?
Spring and autumn are the most comfortable and photogenic, with emerald or golden terraces depending on the season. Summer is lush but hot, humid, and busier with domestic travelers; winter is quieter and often misty, with clearer air and fewer crowds.
How do I get there: tour or DIY?
A pre-booked car, minivan, or private tour is the simplest option, at roughly 1.5-2 hours each way from Guilin. DIY travelers can bus to Longsheng and transfer toward Longji, requesting a stop for Huangluo, though this takes longer and involves more coordination.
What etiquette should I follow, especially around photos?
Ask before photographing individuals, particularly during hair-wrapping. Avoid touching hair or headpieces, stay out of marked washing spots, greet elders respectfully, bargain gently for crafts, and carry out your own trash.
What else pairs well with Huangluo on a day trip?
Common pairings include a Longji terrace viewpoint, Ping’an Zhuang Village, or Dazhai/Jinkeng. With an early start, it’s realistic to see the village show, do a terrace walk, and still be back in Guilin by dinner.
If you’re continuing your travels across China, you may also enjoy:
Fascinating! It seems like much of this involves dating and marriage. Must speak to older traditions, but thankfully they abandoned forced courtship if a guy sees one of the girls’ hair! Yikes!
What an interesting look at a unique tribe. I’ve never heard of them, but you’ve piqued my curiosity. Time to learn more! What beautiful hair. Mine would never grow that long, even if I never cut it!
Wow, that is some serious hair. I would love to know how they get it that long…I’ve gone years without cutting mine and it just stops mid-back! And I couldn’t stop laughing at the butt-pinching!
I was told that they wash it with rice water and that they only use combs made out of ox bone. That might contribute to it.
Hair has a natural growth pattern… it’s normal for hair to stop growing at some point. Like… for the same reason your leg (or other hair :s) doesn’t just keep growing and growing. Maybe it’s rice water and ox combs, but it may very well also be genetics!
I am sure you are right. Like you said there’s a natural GENETIC growth cycle it’s usually from two to about seven years with 6 inches of growth per year. So if a persons growth cycle is three years before the hair falls out and a new one comes in the longest hair that person can grow is 18”. A six year growth cycle would result in hair.36” long. The length of a persons growth cycle is genetically determined. Apparently, since long hair is valued in this culture women with long growth cycles are valued as mates cuz they will produce children who have long growth cycles, and those children will grow up and marry other people who have long growth cycles, and after a few generations , you have a whole tribe of people with genetically long hair. People without genetically long hair, probably will not be able to grow super long hair, no matter how much rice water they use but it might make the hair that they do grow reach its maximum length.
That is pretty awesome :). I like the pictures.
Thanks Julio!
And I thought my hair was getting long…!
This is fascinating. Thanks so much for sharing.
Happy travels 🙂
Haha getting lost in translation can be hilarious! I’ve never heard of the Red Yao tribe, but I definitely won’t forget them any time soon. China is so fascinating, I can’t wait to go back. Out of interest, did you book this tour when you arrived in China?
P.S Glad to read that lotus feet are no longer the things to lust after!
Yes, I booked it once I was in China. It’s an easy day trip from the Guilin/Yangshuo area.
P.S. I just spent the last 15 minutes googling lotus feet and I am so disturbed! I knew about the practice of feet binding, but I didn’t realize it caused them to become so deformed.
I agree…the tradition of foot binding is so sad!
At massage school we did a module on Oriental massage that was held by a TCM practitioner, and as part of it he gave us a crash course on Chinese foot reading – basically identical to palm reading. He said that if the toes, particularly the smaller toes, are very close together, this indicates the person has bowed to social convention and is very influenced by societal norms. Some people said, “Um…maybe it means they just have bad shoes?” To which he replied, “Well is it not bowing to social convention to wear a certain kind of shoe, even if it is ill fitting? What do you think foot binding was all about?”
Such a lightbulb moment for me. 🙂
it seems kind of pointless to have such long hair and just wrap it around your head
Amazing…
googled travel bloggers and came across yours… so glad i did! thank you for this detailed peek into another culture. what fascinated me most was the different “beauty standards”…what men look for in a women. i always love hearing what is desirable in other cultures, as it’s usually so different from ours! on another note- you have a beautiful blog. love the colors + layout.
—michaela @ two handfuls of
Love this. Now I have to add Longshen to my list….this is why it keeps getting longer and longer. thanks and keep enjoying yourself.
……………………………………………………………………………………..sounds like my kind of place 😉
Neat! I know this Chinese minority group (Asian studies and all) but somehow missed on the long hair fact. Boy, I can only imagine washing this hair… I go crazy when mine is past shoulder length!
Seems a fascinating village with some very interesting traditions. Although considering they don’t cut their hair after 16 I kind have would of expected some of the hair to of been trailing on the floor. The son-in-law thing sounds like quite a big commitment for accidentally seeing their hair!
Sounds very unique and very interesting though!
I absolutely loved both your article and video, which are absolutely hilarious as well as being incredibly educational in regard to the cultural practices of the Red Yao tribe! Thank you for the fun and enlightening introduction!
I’m sorry I missed this when I was in China!
So fascinating!
I love Chinese Culture and that’s why its my dream land.
It’s really funny to be pinched on your butt.
I have heard this women on Chinese TV and in some photos, but never actually made it there. This is extremely fascinating. Maybe we can go there during the national holiday next week. Great description Audrey!
Wow, this is the most unique way of showing your status. I was on an island once in South America where they had hats to show their status of single, living with someone and married.
Living in Guatemala, I always wonder if the Maya women ever cut their hair too, but it’s never mentioned as a ritual or tradition.
Such an interesting culture and fascinating village! Do you know how short they cut their hair at 16?
So funny! Interesting about the large feet; I guess for hill climbing big feet would be useful, but at first I was thinking mountaineering style climbing, in which case the smaller the better, no?! Anyway, sounds like a fun time. Did the show feel really contrived and put on just for tourists? That was often how I found such things to be in China, but maybe this was different if it was a very small village.
Finally, a culture that appreciates large feet. Although, I find it interesting that they need to have dainty fingers. Usually, those two features don’t mesh with eachother.
Wow that is some seriously long hair! Wish mine would grow! I have the big feet and loud voice down pat but I dunno about the rest of it. What happens if they throw a ball and the guy drops it?
Haha, two out of three isn’t so bad… 😉
This is so interesting! I love it! And I wish all I had to do is throw a ball at the guys I like! Having said that, my aim is so bad, it could lead to some very awkward situations!
Haha, I know, it makes dating sound so simple. Unless the guy doesn’t share the same feelings and simply ignores your ball… :/
I wonder what they would make of my red hair with emerald green and teal tips! Great article – so interesting!
I bet they would find it fascinating! 😉
I enjoyed this post hahaha. Interesting!
I loved that woman at the window.
Very interesting! The qualifications to be a bride is just so sensible according to their culture and lifestyle. How about qualifications as a groom? I am interested to know if there are. 😀
I’m curious too! Our tour guide didn’t really mention much about what makes an ideal groom, though I imagine he would have to be quite strong the beat out the competition.
Men think in mysterious ways. How can you have big feet and small hands at the same time? Usually if one is big, the other one is big too. So what criteria do men have to have?
Haha, I was wondering the same… 😉
wow! I had never heard of this, its so interesting… I shall be putting this on the to do list!
Very cool write-up. Lol, I can just imagine myself practicing ball in this community.
Hmm.. 1 out of 4 isn’t too bad on that list, right? 😉
Wow, that’s fascinating, and some great pictures too. The only part I don’t understand though is when a passerby sees a woman’s hair… How on earth could they force him to spend three years with them?
Very interesting article Audrey!
I’ve been to Longsheng few weeks ago and loved the place so much, but I didn’t know all these things. Thanks for sharing!
Happy to hear you enjoyed your visit! I really enjoyed Longsheng and Yangshuo a lot.
Very informative. Thanks for sharing it. What about the men in the tribe? Did you get to meet any of them? What were their hair like?