Yuanyang Rice Terrace is located in Yuanyang County, south of Ailao mountain range at an elevation of around 1570 meters. Yuanyang Rice Terraces is regarded as one of the top 3 rice terraces in China and reputed as the ¡°most beautiful curvy lines of the world¡±. It is a popular destination with photographers due to the vast areas of the terraced rice paddies cultivated by the Hani people. The vast majority of the Hani ethnic minority women in Yuanyang county still wear traditional clothes as their daily attire. Hence, there are two kinds of subjects should shoot for your photography tour in Yuanyang - rice terrace scenery and Hani folk customs. 

---

What to see?
To photograph the rice terraces, you should not miss the most famous scenic areas like Xinjie Rice Terrace, Duoyishu Rice Terrace, Bada Rice Terrace, Laohuzui Rice Terrace. To shoot the Hani folk customs, you could meet Hani people in Xinjie, ethnic villages, local markets and the rice paddy fields, etc. 
The weather of Yuanyang Rice Terraces changes a lot during a day. It is better for travelers to arrange 2 or 3 days in Yuanyang to capture the spectacular sunrise, sunset and other terrace scenery. The ideal spots to photograph the terraces at different time are scatter as below.

Duoyishu Scenic Area: for Sunrise
It is the best place to capture sunglow and sunrise, usually around 07:00. Duoyishu is about 25 km from Xinjie and 5 km from Shengcun. To catch the sunrise, it is better to stay overnight in Duoyishu. The main attractions in Duoyishu include sunrise at Huangcaoling, Pugaolaozhai Terraced fields and villages, Duoyishu Rice Terrace, etc. There are viewing decks offered and it is better to shoot the sunrise at a high location for the panorama view of Duoyishu. If time permits, you could get down to Pugaolaozhai and shoot the partial terrace at a close-up shot. The weather is changeable in Duoyishu and you¡¯d better ask more advice from your photography guide. And also try to get up early and find a good location to wait for the sunrise. 

Bada Scenic Area: for Sunset
It is a good place to shoot the sunset, usually around 18:00. Bada is with 950 hectares and 17 villages, over 3700 level terraces look like the ladder reaching to the sky. The main attraction of Bada include Quanfuzhuang Rice Terrace, Bada Rice Terrace, Malizhai Rice Terrace, Shangmadian Rice Terrace, etc. There are two viewing decks at similar heights but different lateral perspectives. You¡¯d better to arrive 30 minutes earlier before sunset and you could decide which viewing deck you are going to use and how to photograph by using telephoto lens and zoom lens. 

Laohuzui Rice Terrace: for Sunset
It is the best place for sunset, usually around 18:00. In Laohuzui, you could shoot the most magnificent and spectacular terraces. Overlooking the rice terrace at the Tiger Month, you¡¯ll capture the rice terrace is like a huge white flowers. When the sun is getting down slowly, the light is getting low, the color temperature is rising, the rice terrace is turning blue, then golden, pink and red. During the short time, you could capture the changeable Laohuzui Rice Terrace. It is located 20km from Xinjie and if you take private car and the weather condition is good, it is suggested to head to Laohuzui Rice Terrace to catch the sunglow and sunset.

Xinjie Scenic Area: for Daytime Photography
Xinjie is the old county of Yuanyang with an elevation of 1500 meters. In Xinjie, photographers could enjoy sea of clouds, sunrise and the ethnic groups. About 8km from Xinjie, it is the Jingkou Hani Folk Village. There are about 160 mushroom houses situated in the middle of the hills. It is good to shoot the Hani Folk Village around 08:00. At this time, the village is standing in the mist, smoke is curling up from the chimney, the sun is gently shining over the house, the kids are playing happily...the joyful moments will be kept in your pictures.

---

Travel Tips
Add: Yuanyang County. Honghe Prefecture in Yunnan Provinve
Entrance Fee: CNY 65
Opening Hours: 08:00-18:00

Ask Questions ?