Meet the Beautiful China, Feel the Poetry and the Distance, Walking the Motherland Series 2 Yunnan (1) Hani Terraces

Number of days: 4 days
With whom: and friends
Tour kinds: Photography, Humanities, Free Travel
Updated: 2022.08.16

Encountering the beauty of China, feeling the poetry and the distance, walking across the motherland, part two: Yunnan (1) Hani Terraces

Yunnan - Yuanyang - Hani Terraces - Laohuzui Scenic Area

Yunnan - Yuanyang - Hani Rice Terraces - Duoyishu Scenic Area

Yunnan - Yuanyang - Hani Rice Terraces - Bada Scenic Area

Yunnan - Yuanyang Hani Rice Terraces - A Stunning Landscape Painting and Evocative Color Prints

Throughout history, for millennia, my country's working people, especially those in ethnic minority areas, have used their diligence and ingenuity to cultivate numerous terraced fields amidst the towering mountains, adapting to local conditions. Among them, the Hani Rice Terraces, located in Yuanyang County, Honghe Prefecture, Yunnan, with their majestic, curving fields, create a classic pastoral landscape and a time-honored, pristine beauty. They are a marvel of global agricultural civilization and a model of harmonious coexistence between man and nature. It is also a group of terraced fields that enjoys a high reputation in China, is well-known and has a strong ornamental value.

Yunnan - Yuanyang - Hani Terraces - Duoyishu Scenic Area

Yunnan - Yuanyang - Hani Rice Terraces - Duoyishu Scenic Area

Yunnan - Yuanyang - Hani Rice Terraces - Laohuzui Scenic Area

Yunnan - Yuanyang - Hani Rice Terraces - Bada Scenic Area

Located in the southern Ailao Mountains of Honghe Prefecture, Yunnan, the Yuanyang Hani Rice Terraces are vast and majestic, boasting a history of over 1,300 years and a masterpiece passed down by generations of Hani people. Yuanyang County is nestled amidst towering mountains, and all the terraces are built on the hillsides, stacked layer by layer according to the terrain. The highest number of terraces reaches 3,000, ranging from several acres to as small as a winnowing basket. Tens of thousands of acres of terraced fields, nestled amidst vast forests and blanketed by a sea of clouds, create a picturesque, breathtaking, and magical landscape. More picturesque than a painting, they earn the reputation of "the Yuanyang Rice Terraces are the best in the world." In June 2013, the Hani Rice Terraces were inscribed on the World Heritage List at the 37th World Heritage Conference, becoming my country's 45th World Heritage site. "Hani Village: Thousands of Mirrors Reflecting Smoke from Cooking Fires" was also selected as one of the "Most Beautiful Places in China" in National Geographic's "Beauty China" collection and ranked second among the "Six Most Beautiful Ancient Villages in China."

Yunnan - Yuanyang - Hani Rice Terraces - Duoyishu Scenic Area

Yunnan - Yuanyang - Hani Rice Terraces - Bada Scenic Area

Yunnan - Yuanyang - Hani Rice Terraces - Laohuzui Scenic Area

Yunnan - Yuanyang - Hani Rice Terraces

Yunnan - Yuanyang - Hani Rice Terraces - Bada Scenic Area

Yunnan - Yuanyang - Hani Rice Terraces - Duoyishu Scenic Area

Yunnan - Yuanyang - Hani Rice Terraces - Tiger Mouth Scenic Area

Yunnan - Yuanyang - Hani Rice Terraces - Laohuzui Scenic Area

Yunnan - Yuanyang - Hani Rice Terraces - Duoyishu Scenic Area

Yunnan - Yuanyang - Hani Rice Terraces - Bada Scenic Area

Yunnan - Yuanyang - Hani Rice Terraces - Laohuzui Scenic Area

Tips

1. When you come to Yuanyang Hani Rice Terraces for sightseeing, you can first watch the magnificent sunrise and sunset over the terraces; second, you can see the unique customs of the Hani villages. The terraces display different colors and landscapes depending on the season, but the best time to view them is from November to March. After the autumn harvest, the terraces are filled with water for maintenance. During this time, the terraces display a striking sense of depth, and their shimmering beauty is breathtaking, especially under the sunlight. While November to March is the most spectacular and beautiful time for viewing the Yuanyang Rice Terraces when they are flooded, January and February are better choices for photography. During this time, the rice fields are clear, and the horizontal terraces are translucent, creating a stunning effect of light and shadow. Around the Spring Festival, it's common to witness and photograph the ever-changing sea of clouds and mist-shrouded terraces. The most important aspect of viewing the terraces is the spectacular sunrise and sunset, which requires waking up early and staying in the dark. Set out before dawn to watch the sunrise, and by the evening, it's already dark, so staying in the scenic area is essential for convenient viewing. Furthermore, the scenic area is dozens of kilometers away from Yuanyang County, making the round trip quite time-consuming. The winding mountain roads make traveling at night when you're unfamiliar with the area both inconvenient and unsafe.

4. January and February are the best months to view the terraced fields, but this coincides with the Spring Festival holiday, when tourists from all over the country, especially photography enthusiasts, flock to the area. The sheer volume of visitors can make accommodations very tight, so be sure to book accommodations in advance. A thorough exploration of the various scenic areas typically requires three or more days.

5. Watching and photographing the sunrise at the Duoyishu Terraces Scenic Area and the sunset at the Laohuzui Scenic Area are highlights of a Hani Terraces tour. During peak season, the scenic areas are extremely crowded, so arriving at the scenic viewing platforms well in advance is crucial to secure a good spot.

Yunnan - Yuanyang - Hani Rice Terraces