Spanning the southern part of Ailao Mountain in Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture, Yuanyang Rice Terraces is an essential part of the UNESCO-listed Honghe Hani Rice Terraces. And for a good reason! The rice terraces show an immense scale, covering an area of about 114 square kilometers, with a single slope containing as many as 3,000 steps. The rice terraces are believed to have been crafted and maintained by local Hani people over 1,300 years ago. As a consequence, it becomes a symbol of the region’s farming and cultural heritage, and also one of the most stunning terrace examples in China.
As one of the top things to do on a Yunnan travel, visiting the Yuanyang Rice Terraces not only rewards you with bustling fields and stunning mountain views but also offers a unique cultural experience. Since the region is home to many Hani villages.
This guide to Yuanyang Rice Terraces will introduce you to all the highlights, things to do, and the best time to visit this area.
Fast Facts of Yuanyang Rice Terraces
- Location: in the southern part of Ailao Mountain, within Yuanyang County, Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan, China
- Ticket price: CNY 70 per person
- Opening hours: all day
- Highlights: The rice terraces, traditional Hani villages, local culture and customs, and stunning sunrises and sunsets.
- Suited to: Nature lovers, photographers, and travelers seeking an authentic cultural experience.
- Recommended time for a visit: 1-2 days
Why Visit Yuanyang Rice Terraces
- A UNESCO World Heritage Site: It is the 45th World Heritage Site in China, showing the Hani people’s harmonious coexistence with nature.
- Stunning Terraced Landscape: Stretching from an altitude of 400 meters at the river valley to 1,800 meters on the mountain, the fields show a grand visual drama that is attractive to photographers and nature enthusiasts alike. The vistas are awe-inspiring and vary according to light conditions, the hues of the sky, and the seasons.
- Explore the Centuries-old Farming System: The Hani people devised the rice fields along the challenging mountainous terrain over one thousand years ago, and integrated irrigation systems accordingly, thus creating a self-sustaining agricultural ecosystem seamlessly intertwined with the surrounding forests and villages.
- Authentic Cultural Immersion: Thanks to the unique terrain and agricultural ecosystem in this area, the local Hani people have developed their unique culture and way of life. Plus, they have their festivals, celebrations, and religious practices closely revolve around the terraces. Thus, you can delve deep into their rice-cultivating culture during a visit here.
Top Attractions at Yuanyang Rice Terraces
Yuanyang Rice Terraces boasts several principal attractions, each of which offers a unique experience. Below are some of the top recommended ones:
Laohuzui Terraced Field Scenic Area (Tiger’s Mouth Scenic Area 老虎嘴景区):
The Laohuzui Rice Terraces encompasses an area of over 850 hectares, with an altitude difference of more than 1,200 meters. This area features a dramatic display of multi-tiered canvas, fluid lines, and gradations of color. The ripening times between the foot and summit of the mountain differ vastly during the harvest season.
A top highlight of the Laohuzui Scenic Area is its rhythmic light and shadow that changes with time. And its most stunning moments are typically at the sunset. As the sun dips below the horizon, the golden glow of the sunlight bathes the terraces in a spellbinding aura.
If you are lucky, you may encounter the rare scenery when the terraces resemble “two galloping steeds” and a “hidden dragon crouching tiger”. Photographers will thus get a wealth of inspiration while visiting this area.
Bada Scenic Area (坝达景区)
This area covers an impressive area of 14,000 mu (approximately 933 hectares), with over 3,700 steps stretching from an elevation of about 1,100 meters at Magengjia to over 2,000 meters above sea level.
Alongside the Laohuzui Scenic Area, the Bada Scenic Area is another spot to capture and witness breathtaking sunset views over the terraced landscape. As the sun sets, the sunlight will paint the sky with a red glow, and transform the terraced waters into a glittering surface.
Besides the sunset views, Bada Scenic Area is also an excellent spot to capture panoramic views of the terraces thanks to its vast scale and relatively higher altitude. It is particularly breathtaking in the early morning, when misty clouds and fog shroud the terraces.
Also, this area hosts many Hani villages, offering great chances to delve deep into local customs and traditional architecture.
Duoyishu Rice Terraces (多依树景区)
Perched on an elevation of about 1,900 meters, the Duoyishu Rice Terraces covers an area of about 650 hectares. In this area, the rice paddies span across the mountain slopes ranging from 25 to 50-degree angles, showing an otherworldly tiered beauty.
This area is especially known for its stunning sunrise scenery. As dawn breaks, the rising sun sprinkles a golden glow over the terraced water surface, transforming the terraced fields into a gossamer veil that dances gently with the morning mist and breeze.
At Duoyishu Rice Terraces, visitors will also encounter the many traditional mushroom-shaped houses dotting the surrounding Hani villages. You can spend a night in a local guesthouse, immersing yourself in magnificent sunrise from the nearby viewing platforms. Moreover, you’ll get chances to look into locals’ agricultural practices, customs, and handicrafts.
Yuanyang Weather and Best Time to Visit
Yuanyang County is in the south of Yunnan and enjoys a subtropical plateau monsoon climate. It sees a warm and humid climate all year round. While due to its complex mountainous terrain, this region may experience rapid and diverse weather changes.
Generally, Yuanyang features a clear distinction between wet and dry seasons. In spring and summer, especially from May to September, the region undergoes abundant precipitation and elevated humidity levels. In contrast, in autumn and winter, from October to April, it is relatively dry, with more sunny days.
Regarding the ideal time to visit Yuanyang Rice Terraces, it usually falls between November and April, when the frequent sunny days create excellent conditions for admiring the terraced landscapes. December to February is particularly recommended. Since during this period, the crops have been harvested, and the fields are filled with water. It shows a mesmerizing play of light and shadow when the terraced fields reflect the sunlight, azure sky, and clouds like a giant mirror.
Travel Tips
- To capture the great sunrise views, photography enthusiasts need to arrive at the viewing platforms in the early morning. Considering the cool temperatures in the morning in the mountainous area, you’d better dress in warm clothes.
- The various attractions in Yuanyang Rice Terraces are far from each other, so it is imperative to plan your itinerary prudently and consider how to travel around this area in advance.
- Since the beauty of the terraced fields is ever-changing under different times of day and weather conditions, you’d better plan a 2-3 day itinerary to fully appreciate the different beauties.
How to Get to and Travel Around
How to Get to Yuanyang Rice Terraces
The most convenient option is to take a long-distance bus from Kunming South Bus Station to Yuanyang. The bus ride will take about 5 hours, with multiple departures each day. After arrival at Yuanyang, you can take either a local bus or a taxi to reach the terraced fields.
Or, you can take a direct high-speed train from Kunming to Jianshui or Mengzi. From either of these two destinations, there are frequent buese to Yuanyang. You can get off at Xinjiezhen Station, and the bus ride will take about 4 hours.
How to Travel around Yuanyang Rice Terraces
Since the major attractions of the Yuanyang Rice Terraces are dispersed in different areas, it is challenging for visitors to transfer between each scenic area. Below are some recommended options to travel around the terraced fields, and you can make a choice based on your requirements.
- Sightseeing buses: The sightseeing buses typically have fixed schedules, and just stop at major attractions and viewpoints. If you want to capture great sunrise and sunset views, this option is not for you since it is not available in the early morning or late afternoon.
- Chartered services: This option offers more flexibility and a hassle-free journey. The private driver with the vehicle is usually familiar with this region. They can offer some insider tips and recommended spots for photography.
- Self-driving: If you are good at driving, you can rent a car after arriving at Yuanyang. But, note that, some stretches of the road can be narrow or winding.
- Hiking: Suitable for people who are rich in time. Hiking among the rice terraces allows you an in-depth exploration of this area, and encounters local Hani people and ethnic villages on the way.
Attractions Nearby
- Jianshui Ancient Town: Located about 100 kilometers north of the rice terraces, Jianshui Ancient Town is a well-preserved ancient town with many historical heritage, such as the Confucius Temple, the Double Dragon Bridge, and the Zhu Family Garden.
- Yuanyang Ethnic Garden: This cultural park showcases the traditional customs and lifestyles of the Hani people, including their unique architecture, clothing, and cuisine.
