Photographing the Yuanyang Rice Terraces

Asia is scattered with some incredible rice terrace landscapes, from the Philippines to Vietnam to Indonesia, but it’s the rice terraces in China that are the most unexpected. When most people think of China, mega cities, pollution and smog are at the forefront of their minds, but China is home to some of the most beautiful rice terraces in the world. I have visited Yuanyang Rice Terraces multiple times in the past few years, and despite being so remote and difficult to reach, it remains my favourite place to visit in China. Yuanyang lies nearly 400km south of Kunming, and you can take a bus directly from Kunming or with a stop over in Jianshui (highly recommended) to get there. The best area to stay in is Duoyishu, as it is easy to get to other terraces and there is an array of different hotels and restaurants to choose from. The best time of the year for photography is when the terraces are filled with water, which is either January to March or July to September. Spend a few days in the rice terraces as they differ drastically from one another, and here are some of my favourites:

If you are staying in Duoyishu, you are in luck - just a short walk from your hotel down towards the village square brings you to the Duoyishu rice terraces, which are best seen at sunrise. I’d advise avoiding the official observation deck as it can get incredibly busy, and instead walk down into the terraces and enjoy the peace. If you are there during the right time of the year, you’ll see farmers harvesting the rice and ploughing the terraces, which is fascinating to watch.

Sunrise fog at Duoyishu

The Bada rice terraces are probably the most popular in the area, and for good reason. For these, you’ll have to go to the observation deck, but it is well worth it. Head down for sunset and if you are gifted with a colourful sky, this will be reflected in the water-filled terraces. The Bada terraces are so expansive, and really show the extent and intricacy of these thousand year old terraces.

Sunset at Bada Terraces

Finally, I’d recommend venturing a little further afield and visiting the Laoyinzui terraces, which aren’t frequented as much in comparison to the more centrally located terraces. This area was a new discovery for me last year, and it was really interesting to see just how different these terraces were, as they are filled with red duckweed instead of water, giving them a distinctive look.

A lone farmer walking home after a day on the fields.

After (or before) a visit to Yuanyang, I would recommend a night or two in Jianshui, a hugely underrated yet beautiful old town in central Yunnan. Make sure to try the tofu!