Video by Chan
I love rice paddy, and thought that the ones in Vang Vieng are prettiest, but nothing comparing to the ones in Yunnan. After watching this video, I wanted to know more about Yunnan and did some search, it’s so true that the natural landscapes of Yunnan compose an image of ‘Everlasting Shangri-La’
This is from en.yunnantourism.com: Archaeological findings from the region suggest that Yunnan is one of the original birthplaces of the ancient Chinese civilization, and can even be considered one of the oldest birthplaces for mankind itself in Asia and the world. The Yuanyang terraced fields, for example, have an extremely long history that scholars believe dates back more than 1,300 years. The Yuanyang terraced fields, gracing the slopes of mountain after mountain, are truly awe-inspiring to behold. Thousands of tiered stages, which collectively form the terraced fields, stretch from the various villages situated at the tops of the mountains down to the depths of the dark valleys. Through their wonderful patterns, embraced by flowing clouds and mysterious fog, the terraced fields magically integrate mountains, villages, water, and sky into a fluid mural of natural and primordial beauty… to read more.
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May 8, 2009 at 6:46 pm
PaNoy
Thanks Nye. Very beautiful and informative. I wonder how long it takes someone to walk from one point to another since you can’t cut through the rice paddy in a straight line, very labyrinthine. Amazing how the villagers get the water up there and maintaining the field through the growing season.
May 9, 2009 at 3:39 am
Ginger
Hi PaNoy, I’d love to live there year round just to see what the paddies look like in stages. One of my best friends that I grew up with in NYC often travel back home (China) to visit, she told me the village that she was from but I never paid much attention to the name, and can’t remember it now, maybe I’ll get to travel back with her one day.
May 11, 2009 at 12:22 am
Cambree
That is an interesting way to farm rice. They look like ponds from far away.
I’ve seen pictures of rice farming in the Philippines that are also unusual. They call it “Rice Terraces” consisting of steps along the mountains.
May 12, 2009 at 1:03 am
Ginger
Cambree, I think along the mountains area, that might be the only way to do it, and the paddies are divided into odd shapes but absolutely beautiful from a distance, I like to see it one day.
July 8, 2010 at 1:46 pm
followredrocket
I’ve been to many of these rice fields in Yunnan. They are indeed very beautiful and are some of the most beautiful landscapes I’ve witnessed. Many of these rice fields were created generations ago, passed down form family to family to work and continue on. Dali, Lijiang, and Wenshan have gorgeous rice fields.
July 8, 2010 at 3:18 pm
Nye
Hi followredrocket, it’s absolutely beautiful, must be a sight to see it in person. I hope to visit this place someday.