Yuanyang County, Yunnan, China
Yuanyang County is located in Honghe Prefecture in southeastern Yunnan province, China, along the Red River. It is well known for its spectacular rice-paddy terracing. Part of the area now forms the 45th World Heritage Site in China. The terraced areas of interest to visitors are mainly found between 1000 and 2000 metres above sea level.
The winter temperatures here, although never freezing, are such that they only support one rice crop a year. After the harvest, from mid-September till mid-November depending on the elevation, the terraces are filled with water until April, when planting begins. The vast majority of the ethnic minority women in Yuanyang county still wear traditional clothes as their daily attire.
The main ethnic group is the Hani who share the region with several other minorities such as the Yi and Miao. Market days in the villages tend to be very colourful when the different minority groups in the vicinity, each in their own traditional costume, come together to trade and socialise.
Epic China Culture & Adventure Route © Monika Newbound
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