yuanyang rice terrace

Introduction:

Voted as one of the most attractive places in China of worth visiting, Yuanyang is located at 326km South of the Kunming, the capital of Yunnan province. With a population of 347,000 Yuan yang is spread over 2190 Sq. Km. Here the annual average temp. is 16.4 degree Celsius, with 1407 average precipitation per year.

History:

The place has left a mark as a spectacular wonder for rice terraces created by the Hani people about 1000 years ago. The Hani people were the conventional rice farmers who accepted and practised the concept of ecology and land preservation, much before the modern day world recognized it. These people built the amazing the rice terraces on red soil mountains. Only 1 harvest is carried during the whole year and the planting is from Oct/Nov every year.

These terraced fields are spread step over step from a height of 144 to 200 meters. . In the Ming Dynasty, these craftsmen of the Hani tribe were granted with the title of “Magic Mountain Sculptors”. The Hani terraces and the irrigation system employed here constitute marvelous and ingenuous agriculture innovation. The method of water management or distribution were termed by the labourers as “Carving Wood To Ration Water”.

Importance:

Yuanyang rice terraces are the perfect examples of nature care and ecological balance.

It’s a self sustaining ecosystem designed to collect the rainwater. The system is such in which the water evaporating from the rice terrace form cloud, which is then collected by the forest on the mountains, leading the spring water to flow down to the rice terrace and the whole cycle gets repeated. This water irrigates the fields during winter to early spring.

Although the Yuanyang rice terraces has not been, as of now widely explored by the travellers from around the globe, photographs and information have been. The landscapes do not remain the same yearlong. The paddy fields get flooded from Dec. to April creating a reflecting pool effect, which attract the photographers. Whereas in summer it wears a different look. The paddies are green allover emanating a refreshing smell.

Time to visit the place:

Located at a place with subtropical climatic condition, this place is wet and misty during spring and summer time. So the winter and autumn seasons, i.e. November to April, are the best picks for a trip. During this time one cane take the pictures of the breathtaking waterlogged paddy fields which are at their best.

Things to do:

*The spectacular view of the sunrise and sunsets over the irrigate rice terraces.

*Visit to some of the local villagers who come from different ethnic minority groups, their mushroom houses and their performances.

*Trekking along the steep rice fields as an adventure sports.

Conclusion:

People having genuine interest and thirst for the ethnic culture of China, will really won’t give it a miss. No other Chinese province offers such a far- fetched cultural and ecological diversity with a sense of saving the environment.