Hani Rice Terraces List in Yuanyang County, Honghe

Introduction

The Hani Rice Terraces, situated in the southern part of the Ailao Mountains in Yuanyang County (元阳县), Honghe Prefecture (红河州), are a remarkable achievement of the Hani ethnic group (哈尼族). These terraces, cultivated over generations, represent a unique agricultural civilization shaped by the community’s ingenuity in harnessing the region’s distinctive geographical and climatic conditions.

The terraces are characterized by their stunning visual variations, adapting to the local topography. On gentler slopes, larger fields are cultivated, while steeper areas feature smaller plots. The Hani people’s resourcefulness allows them to even cultivate narrow stone crevices, leading to a diverse range of terrace sizes—from several acres to small patches the size of a hand basket. In total, there are thousands of acres across the region, often covering vast expanses of land.

The Honghe Hani Rice Terraces are primarily found in Yuanyang, as well as in Honghe, Jinping, and Luxi counties, spanning an impressive total area of around 1 million mu (approximately 165,000 acres). Within Yuanyang County alone, there are about 170,000 mu (approximately 28,000 acres) of terraces. This spectacular landscape has been meticulously “sculpted” by the Hani people for over 1,300 years, resulting in breathtaking vistas that draw visitors from around the world.

In recognition of its cultural and historical significance, the Honghe Hani Rice Terraces were inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site on June 22, 2013, becoming the 45th World Heritage Site in China.

Area Overview

Major Scenic Areas

The Hani Rice Terraces are divided into three main scenic areas:

  1. Bada Scenic Area (坝达景区): This area includes over 14,000 acres of terraced fields, featuring notable locations such as Qinkou (箐口), Quanfuzhuang (全福庄), Malizhai (麻栗寨), and Zhulu (主鲁).
  2. Tiger Mouth Scenic Area (老虎嘴景区): Covering nearly 6,000 acres, this area includes Mengpin (勐品), Dongpu (硐浦), Amengkong (阿勐控), and Baoshan Zhai (保山寨).
  3. Duoyishu Scenic Area (多依树景区): This scenic area boasts tens of thousands of acres of terraced fields, including sites like Duoyishu (多依树), Aichun (爱春), and Dazhazhe (大瓦遮).

Additionally, there are other significant terraced locations in Yuanyang, including:

  • Xiaopingzi Terraces (小坪子梯田) in Daping Township (大坪乡)
  • Nikupu Terraces (尼枯浦梯田) and Laocaozhai Terraces (老曹寨梯田) in Fengchunling Township (逢春岭乡)
  • Shibeizhai Terraces (石碑寨梯田) and Dalaki Terraces (大拉卡梯田) in Xinxijie Township (小新街乡)

These terraces vary greatly in shape and size, and many are less frequented by tourists due to their remote locations and challenging access.

Basic Information

Best Viewing Period

  • Optimal Time: The best time to view the terraces is from December after the fields are flooded until April of the following year. This period offers spectacular reflections and vibrant colors in the water-filled terraces.

Key Scenic Spots

  • Duoyishu (多依树): Best known for its stunning sunrises, where the early morning light dances on the terraces.
  • Tiger Mouth (老虎嘴): Offers breathtaking sunsets; it is crucial to time your visit correctly for the best views.
  • Qinkou (箐口): Renowned for its ethereal clouds, giving the feeling of walking among the heavens.
  • Bada (坝达): Ideal for witnessing both sunset and the sea of clouds, with changing colors that enhance the beauty of the landscape.

Travel Tips

  • Accommodation: Arrange your stay in advance, as distances between scenic spots can exceed 10 kilometers, and travel times can be significant.
  • Transportation: Local transport between scenic spots is available for around 80 yuan. However, hiring a vehicle for larger groups can be more convenient.
  • Timing: Ensure you plan your visits to the scenic spots based on the time of day—sunrise at Duoyishu and sunset at Tiger Mouth are particularly popular.

Accommodation Recommendations

Avoid staying in Yuanyang New Town (南沙镇), which is at a lower elevation, or Yuanyang Old Town (新街镇), which is further uphill. Staying in Duoyishu is highly recommended for easy access to sunrise views.

  • Xiao Mago’s Inn (小马哥的客栈): Offers double rooms starting from 80 yuan per night, providing comfortable and convenient lodging.
  • Duoyishu Youth Hostel (多依树青旅): A newly built hostel highly recommended by travelers. Prices start at 110 yuan for double rooms and 30 yuan for dormitory beds. The hostel’s early departure for sunrise views makes it a perfect choice for photographers.

Suggested Itinerary

Day Plan

  • Recommended Stay: It is advisable to stay in Duoyishu for optimal access to the best viewpoints. Consider hiring a vehicle for less than 300 yuan per day.

Sample Itinerary:

  1. Early Morning: Sunrise at Duoyishu.
  2. Late Morning: Visit Bada for the sea of clouds.
  3. Afternoon: Explore Qinkou for additional cloud views.
  4. Evening: Sunset at Tiger Mouth.

Travel Considerations

  • From Duoyishu to Bada, you can catch a ride for about 10 yuan.
  • To enjoy the cloud views at Qinkou, find a viewpoint on the way rather than from within the village.

Suggested Itinerary for Yuanyang Rice Terraces

During the day, it’s generally recommended to visit Qingkou (箐口) and Bada (坝达) to enjoy the sea of clouds. If you can only watch one sunset, head to Laohuzui (老虎嘴).

Note: To see the sea of clouds at Qingkou, don’t view from the village itself; instead, there’s a scenic viewpoint along the road to Qingkou that offers the perfect view.

Bada for Sea of Clouds and Sunset

From Duoyishu (多依树), head to Bada to catch the sea of clouds at sunset. You can flag down a ride for around 10 yuan. Generally, it’s best to start around 4:30 PM, as the sunset occurs around 6:30 PM, during which the colors of the terraces change the most. You can visit Bada for the sea of clouds at any time.

Laohuzui for Sunset

Laohuzui is specifically for watching the sunset. It’s better to organize a group and hire a vehicle from a guesthouse. Whether coming from Duoyishu or Xinjie Town (新街镇), it takes about 40 minutes. You can also flag down a ride on the way. If you only have one day, hiring a vehicle is not recommended since rides from Xinjie Town to anywhere else cost a maximum of 20 yuan, usually around 15 yuan. Aim to leave for Laohuzui after 4:30 PM, as arriving too early is not beneficial; it wraps up by around 6:30 PM.

One-Day Tour Schedule

It’s advisable to stay in Duoyishu and hire a vehicle for under 300 yuan per day. The suggested schedule is:

  • Morning: Watch sunrise at Duoyishu
  • Visit Bada for the sea of clouds
  • Visit Qingkou for the sea of clouds
  • Watch sunset at Laohuzui

Travel Route

Travel from Duoyishu to Bada, then to Qingkou, and finally to Yuanyang County’s old town (Xinjie Town). The distances between these three attractions are roughly around ten kilometers each and are along the same road. There’s a separate route from Qingkou that leads to the Laohuzui scenic area.

Longshuba (龙树坝) Scenic Spot

If you’re pressed for time, you can skip Longshuba as the road is bumpy. It’s more suitable for photography enthusiasts due to its colorful sunsets and beautiful, dispersed scenic spots.

Additional Information

Temperature and Weather

  • Weather Conditions: Be aware that weather forecasts often reflect conditions in Nansha. The mountain areas can be significantly colder, especially at sunrise. Dress warmly, preferably in layers.

Cloud Seas

  • Appearance of Cloud Seas: These spectacular cloud formations typically appear the day after rain, adding to the beauty of the landscape.

How to Get There

By Bus

  • Public Transport: Most buses arrive at Nansha Town, where travelers must transfer to reach Xinjie Town and Duoyishu. Direct buses are available from Xinjie Town to Jianshui and Kunming, with the latest departure to Jianshui at 4:30 PM. Long-distance buses from Jianshui to Yuanyang operate at 11:30 AM, taking highways and secondary roads.

By Car

  • Driving Directions: If driving from Kunming, take the highway to Yuxi, then to Yuanjiang. This segment is mostly highway. After Yuanjiang, the route to Honghe consists of secondary roads, making for a smoother drive. From Yuanjiang to Yuanyang, the journey takes less than three hours.