Atlas of China
Yuanyang Rice Terraces 元阳梯田Yuányáng Tītián
Thousands of flooded paddies mirroring the sunrise across southern Yunnan's hills
- Best time
- Dec–Mar (flooded terraces)
- Time needed
- 2 days
- Days to budget
- 2 days
- Stay in
- Yuanyang
- Region
- Yunnan
- Type
- Culture
- Listed as
- 4A scenic area, National heritage site, UNESCO World Heritage
Why go to Yuanyang Rice Terraces
In the Ailao Mountains of southern Yunnan, the Hani people have sculpted entire mountainsides into rice terraces, some valleys holding thousands of paddies. In winter and early spring the fields are flooded, and at sunrise and sunset they turn into a mosaic of pink, gold and silver mirrors. Mushroom-roofed Hani villages sit among the fields.
The story
Over some 1,300 years the Hani built a self-sustaining system: forests on the summits feed streams, channels carry water down through the villages and into the terraces, and the fields overflow one into the next. It was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2013.
What to see at Yuanyang Rice Terraces
- Duoyishu 多依树: One of the four terrace viewing areas and the classic place for sunrise.
- Qingkou Hani Village 箐口民俗村: A Hani folk village in one of the four terrace areas, where you can walk among houses and fields.
- Bada 坝达: One of the four viewing areas, popular for sunset.
- Laohuzui 老虎嘴: The best-known of the four areas and another sunset favourite.
- Hani Terraces Culture Museum 哈尼梯田文化博物馆: The terraces museum at Xinjie, next to the Hani town. It is closed on Mondays.
How to visit Yuanyang Rice Terraces
There are four viewing areas — Duoyishu, Qingkou, Bada and Laohuzui — spread along steep roads from Xinjie, and most visitors go by minibus or hired car. A common plan is Duoyishu at dawn, Qingkou around midday, and Bada or Laohuzui for sunset. The terraces are flooded and at their best in winter. One day covers the viewpoints at a rush; two is better.
How to get to Yuanyang Rice Terraces
Yuanyang's old town of Xinjie is roughly 4–6 hours by road from Kunming, often broken with a stop in the old town of Jianshui. Local buses and drivers link Xinjie to the main viewpoints.
Where to stay
Xinjie town is the practical base for all four viewing areas and the museum; for sunrise, a village near Duoyishu saves the early drive on the winding road.
What to eat
- Terrace red rice 梯田红米: A reddish local rice, an old variety grown on the terraces, a little coarser than white rice; it is a Yuanyang speciality.
- Hani fermented soybeans 哈尼豆豉: A salty fermented soybean seasoning typical of Hani cooking, counted among Yuanyang's local specialities.
- Nansha dried beef 南沙牛肉干巴: Dried beef from Nansha, the county seat, counted among Yuanyang's local specialities.
Tips for visiting Yuanyang Rice Terraces
- Duoyishu is the classic sunrise viewpoint; Bada and Laohuzui are best at sunset.
- Hire a local driver for a day: the viewpoints are spread along steep, winding roads.
- Stay overnight in Pugao Laozhai or near Duoyishu so you're in place before dawn.
Nearby
- Jianshui Ancient Town 建水古城 60 km
A Ming gate tower, a great Confucian temple and grilled tofu on the way to Yuanyang
Also within 30 km: Nalou Chieftain's Office 纳楼长官司署 (20 km).
On the map
Open Yuanyang Rice Terraces on the illustrated map to see the terrain around it, what else is close, and to add it to a trip and plan the days.
Open Yuanyang Rice Terraces on the map