Yuanyang Rice Terraces

The Yuanyang Rice Terraces in Honghe Prefecture, Yunnan, are famous far and wide. We left the ancient town of Bixi and traveled along the Kunming-Mohan Expressway, the Yuanmou Expressway, the Yuanlu Secondary Road, and National Highway G245 to reach the scenic area, covering a distance of about 188 kilometers. Broadly speaking, the Yuanyang Rice Terraces scenic area encompasses a vast region of approximately 159 square kilometers, including Xinjie Town and Panzhihua Township. Narrowly speaking, it refers to several prime viewing spots that require ticket purchase for entry. Upon entering the scenic area, the terraces come into view, and the deeper you go, the more enchanting the scenery becomes. In the past, when admiring the beautiful photographic works of the Yuanyang Rice Terraces, one appreciated the art. But when seeing the endless, layered terraces with one's own eyes, words fail to describe the beauty. Beyond the aesthetic enjoyment, one feels a sense of awe, a visual impact brought by the miraculous creation of nature and the hardworking wisdom of generations of Hani people who have adapted to the natural environment. This evokes thoughts on the stable ecosystem of mountains, water, fields, and villages formed through over 1,300 years of cultivation. After the autumn harvest and land preparation, the terraces begin to slowly accumulate spring water, with each paddy field reflecting the sky like a mirror, arranged in an orderly manner. The scenic roads within the area connect multiple villages and several viewing platforms, with good road conditions, making it very suitable for self-driving tours. Along the way, there are many places where you can enjoy the beauty of the terraces for free. However, to see and photograph the best scenes before and after sunrise, you need to buy a ticket to enter the Duoyishu scenic area. To get the best view under the sunset, you need to enter the Bada scenic area. Fortunately, the tickets are valid for three days and allow unlimited entry to each scenic area. Eternal sweet springs nourish fertile soil, Centuries of cultivation shape life. Jade mirrors from the heavens fall, Scattered across Yuanyang's hundred-mile slopes. In addition to enjoying the natural beauty within the Yuanyang Rice Terraces scenic area, you may also witness the cultural customs of the Hani and Yi ethnic groups. Hani or Yi weddings are sometimes celebrated within the scenic area, with several couples and their bridesmaids and groomsmen gathering in the plaza, dancing gracefully to cheerful music in their colorful attire, attracting tourists to watch and take photos. Among the many visitors, there are photography enthusiasts, some traveling in groups, others alone. Some stay in the scenic area for over a week to capture a perfect shot. We took a moderate approach, seeing it with our own eyes and taking photos, which was enough.