Hani Rice Terraces List in Jinping County, Honghe
Chinese Name:红河金平县哈尼梯田
English Name:Hani Rice Terraces in Jinping County, Honghe
Keywords: Hani Rice Terraces
Location: In the south of Ailao Mountain of Honghe Prefecture
Admission Fee: ¥
Opening Hours: All Day Long
Overview
Jinping County (金平县), located in Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture (红河哈尼族彝族自治州), is home to over 80,000 Hani people (哈尼族), making up about 25.6% of the county’s population. Through generations of agricultural labor, the Hani people have created a unique cultural tradition centered around rice terraces. The terraced fields in Jinping span approximately 163,382 acres, with their origins dating back to the Song Dynasty (宋代). These terraces are distributed across 13 townships in the county, featuring various types such as horizontal terraces, sloped terraces, and reversed sloped terraces.
Major Terraced Areas
1. Jinhe Town (金河镇)
- Hani Fields—Malutang (哈尼田—马鹿塘)
2. Jinshuihe Town (金水河镇)
- Pujiao (普角)
3. Mengla Township (勐拉乡)
- Wengdang—Zhemi Sankeshu (翁当—者米三棵树)
4. Tongchang Township (铜厂乡)
- Dongzong River (董棕河)
5. Shayi Township (沙依坡乡)
- Ahami—Adubo (阿哈迷—阿都波)
6. Adebai Township (阿得博乡)
- Shuiyuan (水源)
7. Ma’an Bottom Township (马鞍底乡)
- Puma—Maguaitang (普玛—马拐塘)
These terraced areas cover about 35,000 acres and are known for their aesthetic value.
Cultural Significance
The traditional farming methods and the visible rice straw stacks in the butterfly valley (蝴蝶谷) area create a stunning landscape. Walking along the stone-paved mountain paths while admiring the terraces evokes a sense of admiration for the hard work and wisdom of the various ethnic groups, as well as the gifts nature provides. The terraces, built along the mountainsides, curve gracefully, connecting seamlessly in a beautiful display of craftsmanship. Each section of terrace resembles a musical note, together composing a melodious rural symphony.
The expansive terraced fields of Jinping County are closely linked to the rice terraces of Yuanyang (元阳) and Luxi (绿春), forming an integral part of the Hani rice terrace culture along the southern bank of the Honghe River (红河).
Agricultural Highlights
As of 2022, the rice sowing area in Jinping County reached 164,000 acres, with 35,000 acres dedicated to red rice terraces. The estimated yield for this red rice is around 14,000 tons, with a total output value of approximately 210 million yuan.
Specific Terraced Areas
- Butterfly Valley Terraces (马鞍底蝴蝶谷梯田)
- Adebai Township Terraces (阿得博乡梯田)
- Baihe Village in Jinhe Town Terraces (金河镇白马河村梯田)
- Terraces in Jinhe Town (金河镇梯田)
- Kunyimi Terraces in Adebai Township (阿得博乡昆一迷梯田)
- Shuiyuan Village Terraces in Adebai Township (阿得博水源村梯田)
How to Get There
Jinping County is accessible by:
- Car: Drive from the nearest major city, Gejiu (个旧) or Kunming (昆明), which provides a scenic route.
- Bus: Regular buses operate from major cities to Jinping, making it convenient for travelers.
Travel Tips
- Best Time to Visit: Autumn is ideal for witnessing the rice harvest, typically from late September to early November.
- Respect Local Culture: Be mindful of Hani traditions and practices while visiting.
- Photography: Capture the beauty of the terraces, but ensure you ask for permission before photographing locals.
- Stay Hydrated: The region can be hot during the day; carry water while exploring.
