Aichun Hani Rice Terraces in Yuanyang County, Honghe

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English Name: Aichun Blue Hani Rice Terraces in Yuanyang County, Honghe
Chinese Name: 元阳县爱春蓝色梯田

Location and Highlights:
The Aichun Scenic Area is located 30 kilometers east of Xinjie Town in Yuanyang and 6 kilometers east of the Duoyishu Scenic Area. This spot is the best place to photograph and view the blue rice terraces in Yuanyang, which is actually a part of Duoyishu Village. The area is inhabited by the Hani ethnic group. 75% of the scenes from the film The Story of Yunnan produced by the Beijing Film Studio and 95% of the scenes from the movie Cherry produced by the Shanghai Film Studio were filmed here.

From 9 to 10 a.m. in winter and from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. in spring, you can see the terraces reflecting a stunning blue color if you look down from Aichun Road on a sunny day. The blue is so vivid and charming that people who haven’t seen it in person often think the photos are digitally altered. The area is also frequently accompanied by a sea of clouds, adding to its charm.

Main Attractions:
The Aichun Scenic Area features several major spots, including Dayutang, Aichun, Azhake, Longshu, and Dawazhe viewpoints. Photography tip: Avoid using a polarizing filter when taking pictures here.

Like the red rice terraces of Longshuba, the blue rice terraces of Aichun are also a unique attraction within the Yuanyang Terraces. Located in Aichun Village, which is connected to Duoyishu, the blue color is reflected from the sky onto the water in the terraces. On clear days, you can enjoy a breathtaking view where the blue sky and the water in the terraces blend seamlessly. Note: If you enter the terraces by a lower path, local villagers may charge a fee of 5 yuan per person.

Best Time to Visit:
The Aichun Blue Rice Terraces are best photographed between 8 and 9 a.m. on sunny days. Standing at a higher vantage point, you can see the blue terraces beneath a blue sky, looking like a string of silk scarves with ripples reflecting light. Surrounding farmhouses are nestled among forests and mist, with smoke rising from chimneys, creating a picturesque scene that resembles a fairyland.

Aichun Blue Terrace Viewing Platform:
The Aichun Terrace Viewing Platform is marked as “Aichun Village Viewing Platform” on road signs. To get there, set your navigation to either “Aichun Terrace Viewing Platform” or “Aichun Blue Terrace.” From the Hani Sisu Viewing Platform, continue east for 1.9 kilometers to reach it.

The blue color of the Aichun Blue Terraces comes from the reflection of the blue sky in the water-filled terraces. Photos of the blue terraces can only be captured under these conditions: from January to March when the terraces are filled with water, in clear blue sky weather, between 8 and 9 a.m., and in direct sunlight.

When I visited at noon, the terraces naturally weren’t blue. My focus wasn’t solely on the blue terraces, as I came to appreciate the scenery and the cultural features of the ethnic minorities. On the day I visited, the weather was excellent! The blue sky was dotted with white clouds, and the nearby terraces were already filled with water. In the distance, the sea of clouds hadn’t yet dissipated, revealing faint mountain peaks that appeared like a fairyland. Nearby, villagers were busy working, and crops were growing well, presenting a scene of harvest and joy.

Recommended Time:
1-3 hours

Transportation:
By Bus:

1. Take a bus from Kunming South Bus Station to Yuanyang, with three departures daily at 10:20, 12:30, and 19:00. The fare is 139 yuan per person, and the journey takes 5-6 hours.
2. Most buses from Kunming South Bus Station go to Nansha Town in Yuanyang County. Transportation between Nansha Town and Xinjie Town is very convenient, with mini buses running regularly (10 yuan per person, 7:00-20:00). There are also minibuses available from Xinjie Town to the scenic area entrance, and from the entrance to various scenic spots (fares 5-10 yuan).
3. You can also take a bus from Kunming to Jianshui or Gejiu, then transfer to Yuanyang.
   After arriving in Yuanyang, take a local minibus to the scenic area, with fares ranging from 5-10 yuan.

By Car:
Chartering a car from the old county town to explore the terraces for one day costs around 500 yuan. A trip to Tiger Mouth (Laohuzui) costs about 300 yuan, and a half-day trip to see the sunrise at Duoyishu costs around 500 yuan.

Opening Hours:
08:00-19:30; Last admission at 19:30 (Open daily from January 1st to December 31st)

Location:
Aichun Village, Yuanyang County, Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province.