Yuanyang rice terraces are without any doubt the most beautiful and spectacular paddy fields around China! Located all around Yuanyang Old Town, those rice fields have been carved on the Mountain by the Hani people for centuries. Catch a sunrise or sunset on those terraces full of water are one of the greatest highlights to any trips in China.

ID：107379-00165 Yuanyang Rice Terrace 　Picture Sources：ccnpic.com   Zhang Zaifeng

It is a perfect example of symbiosis in nature. The water evaporates from the rice terrace to form clouds; the clouds give rain, which is collected and trapped by the forests on the mountains.  The water from the rain and from mountain springs flow down to the rice terraces and the whole cycle repeats itself perpetually.  During the winter to early spring season, the entire field is irrigated with spring water from the forest above to rejuvenate and prepare for the next growing season.The Hani people have repeated this for more than a thousand years. There is only one harvest per year for the Yuanyang Rice Terrace; planting occurs from March to October/November every year.

ID：112975-04972 Yuanyang Rice Terrace 　Picture Sources：ccnpic.com  Long Jiaze

The paddies, which are flooded from December to April, create a reflecting pool effect which is a photographer's dream. But be aware that the hills can be blanketed in fog for over half the year. In summer, the paddies are luxuriantly green with growing rice stalks. After the fall harvest, the paddies become bare earth, giving a completely different feeling.

ID：108831-00021 Yuanyang Rice Terrace 　Picture Sources：ccnpic.com  Gong Debao

Yuanyang is also interesting for its intense minorities’ life. You can find a Hani and Yi colorful market each day, based on the Chinese calendar. Hani and Yi minorities aslo still wear their colorful traditional clothes.

ID：108207-00012 Yuanyang Rice Terrace 　Picture Sources：ccnpic.com  Gao Erxing

Best Time to Visit

With a subtropical climate, a visit to Yuanyang Rice Terraces anytime during the year is possible, though November to April will allow you to catch the terrace fields at their prettiest.

Climate：The annual average temperature is 16.4 degree Celsius, and 1407 mm of yearly average precipitation.

  (CCNPIC bobo)