Yuanyang

Yuanyang County was once crowned as one of the China’s 17 most attractive scenic places. 326 km south of Kunming, the capital of Yunnan Province. it is located in the depth of the Ailao Mountains in Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture. Yuanyang has a population of 347, 000 with 2190 square kilometers. The annual average temperature is 16.4 degree Celsius, and 1407 mm of yearly average precipitation.

Yuanyang becomes a big draw to tourists and photographers for the amazing rice-terraces built on the red-soil mountains. 2500 years ago, the ancestors of Hani people came from Tibetan Plateau to this land and worked out the terraced fields on mountains generations after generations. Now we can see the terraced fields step upwards over range upon range of slopes from a height 144 to 2000 meters. In Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), the Emperor granted them the title of “Magic Mountain Sculptors”. From the tidy and well-constructed fields, anyone has to admit that it is a human engineering feat only made by those hard working people. 

The Hani terraces and their irrigation system constitute ingenious agricultural innovation. Ailao Mountain's temperate climate and large scope of vegetation assures precipitation adequate to water the terraces, but equal apportionment of water to each plot on each terrace requires special skill. The Hani people call their method of water management, "Carving Wood to Ration Water"; villagers from each household mark different gradations on a wooden cross and place it in front of the terrace's source of water. When water flowing into the terraces reaches a specific gradation, the flow ceases. This system ensures enough water for every terraced plot.

More about the Hani People of Yunnan Province

Best Time to visit Yuanyang:

Situated at subtropical area, Yuanyang is wet and misty spring and summer. The best time to visit is autumn and winter. At that time the terraced fields are filled with water, ideal for taking pictures.

Jianshui

In the peaceful town, you won’t be disturbed by the flocks of tourists from home and abroad. You can take your time to stroll at old streets and see ancient houses and wells at your pace. As Lijiang and Dali are getting more and more touristy, we believe Jianshui is an absolutely perfect alternative for international tourists. The highlight is that you can even stay overnight at the guestroom of Zhu Family Courtyard House, which is a well-preserved ancient residence for Family Zhu. 28 delicate traditional guestrooms are opened to the tourists. The atmosphere and surrounding are incomparable to any other hotels. Many movies were once filmed there.

Followed by the Confucius Temple in Qufu, hometown of Confucius - Shandong Province, Jianshui has the second largest one of the whole country. It is quite miraculous to be found in this tiny remote town southwest of China. The temple was first built in Yuan Dynasty (1271 – 1368) with a history of 700 years. It covers an area of 76,000 square meters. The major building is Xian Shi Miao (or Great Master Hall), it is the place where the remembrance ceremonies are usually sponsored.

Praised as “Lesser Gate of Heavenly Peace” (compared to Tiananmen of Beijing – Gate of Heavenly Peace), Chao Yang Gate is now more than 600 years old. It has become a symbolic building of Jianshui. In front of the gate, a small market is gradually formed. The tourists can see and experience the life of local people.

Other attractions include the ancient wells at every corner of the town with many different styles, Tuanshan ancient village (Zhang Family House), and Double Dragons Bridge.

Photo Gallery of Yuanyang and Jianshui:  1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10  11  12  13  14