Overview

Yuanyang County (元阳县) lies in the southern part of Honghe Prefecture, Yunnan Province, and is globally renowned for its Hani Rice Terraces, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. As one of China's most iconic cultural landscapes, Yuanyang embodies the perfect harmony between human ingenuity and nature, shaped over more than 1,300 years by the Hani people. In addition to its scenic beauty, Yuanyang offers a rich tapestry of ethnic culture, biodiversity, and rural heritage.

 

Geography and Climate

Location: Southwestern Honghe, bordering Vietnam across the Red River

 

Area: ~2,200 square kilometers

 

Topography: Mountainous terrain with deep valleys, cliffs, and cascading terraces

 

Elevation Range: From ~140 meters in river valleys to over 2,900 meters on mountaintops

 

Climate:

 

Subtropical monsoon climate with great vertical variation

 

Mild winters and cool summers

 

Annual average temperature: ~16–22°C

 

Rainfall: 1,000–1,400 mm/year, concentrated in May–October

 

High humidity and frequent clouds, which create ideal growing conditions for rice

 

Population and Ethnic Groups

Total Population: ~380,000

 

Ethnic Composition:

 

Hani (over 50%) – indigenous creators of the rice terraces

 

Yi, Dai, Miao, Yao, and Han also live in harmony in the region

 

The Hani people are known for their terrace farming, mushroom-shaped houses, and rich oral traditions

 

Key Attractions

�� Honghe Hani Rice Terraces (红河哈尼梯田) – UNESCO World Heritage Site

Stretch across four counties (Yuanyang, Honghe, Jinpin, Lüchun) — Yuanyang being the heart and highlight

 

Terraces range from mountaintops down to river valleys, with thousands of layers

 

Famous scenic spots:

 

Duoyishu (多依树) – Best for sunrise photography

 

Laohuzui (老虎嘴 / Tiger Mouth) – Most dramatic and steep terraces

 

Bada (坝达) – Sunset and cloud-sea views

 

Built and maintained by generations of Hani farmers without modern machinery

 

Represent a sustainable farming system integrating forest–village–terrace–water system

 

��️ Azheke Traditional Hani Village (阿者科村)

An intact Hani settlement preserving mushroom-shaped earthen houses

 

Recognized as a "living museum" of Hani culture

 

Visitors can explore terraced fields, learn weaving and tea-making, and experience daily Hani life

 

�� Hani Festivals and Traditions

Angmatu Festival – Hani New Year celebration featuring traditional songs, dances, and bullfights

 

Kuzhazha Festival – Hani farming and harvest rituals

 

Hani women’s colorful costumes and multi-part harmonies (Hani folk songs) are recognized as intangible cultural heritage

 

Culture and Heritage

�� Hani "Forest-Village-Terrace-Water" System

This sophisticated agro-ecological system includes:

 

Forests on mountaintops (protecting water sources)

 

Villages below the forests (with earth dwellings)

 

Terraces below the villages (for rice cultivation)

 

Irrigation canals and ditches drawing water from forests into the terraces

 

�� Hani Oral Literature and Arts

Epic storytelling, polyphonic singing, and ritual chants

 

Face tattooing, silver jewelry, and textile embroidery among minority women reflect deep symbolism and history

 

Ecology and Biodiversity

Yuanyang is located in a biodiversity hotspot:

 

Home to cloud forests, rare birds, orchids, and medicinal herbs

 

Rice terraces double as wetland ecosystems supporting frogs, fish, and waterfowl

 

Protected areas near villages maintain ecological balance between agriculture and environment

 

Economy

Terrace rice farming is the backbone of rural life

 

Other economic activities:

 

Tourism (eco- and cultural tourism, photography)

 

Tea production, fruit cultivation (bananas, passionfruit)

 

Handicrafts (Hani embroidery, woven bamboo, traditional instruments)

 

In recent years, Yuanyang has become a hotspot for rural revitalization, integrating sustainable tourism and e-commerce

 

Transportation and Accessibility

Road Access:

 

Highways connect Yuanyang to Jianshui, Gejiu, and Kunming (~6–8 hours by car)

 

Improved scenic roads connect Xinjie Town, the old county seat, with key viewing platforms

 

Public Transit:

 

Long-distance buses from Kunming and regional hubs

 

Tour shuttles serve popular terrace sites and ethnic villages

 

Air Travel:

 

Nearest airport: Honghe