TERRACED RICE PADDIES

These terraced rice fields stretch as far as the eye can see... Some say they're the most beautiful rice fields in China! Depending on the season, the landscape is completely different. Between March and April, the rice paddies are full of water and shine like mirrors. In May, the little shoots emerge from the water. Harvesting takes place in August. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Yuanyang rice paddies cover more than 11,000 hectares, sculpted into the mountainside at altitudes of between 1,000 and 2,000 metres. Among the most famous viewpoints, Duoyishu is the most popular for admiring sunrises. Laohuzui (Tiger's Mouth) is ideal for sunsets. Bada, on the other hand, captures the sheer scale of the site, with its thousands of terraces tumbling down the slope in a cascade of mirrors.

We recommend a visit early in the morning to take in the sunrise over this magnificent landscape worthy of a film. The rice paddies rise one above the other like a staircase. Once you reach the top, you'll be at an altitude of 2,000 m, and will see the water flowing through bamboo pipes along the paths. It's a magical place. The scenery in these rice paddies is just like the images you imagine before leaving for China. For a moment, time stands still. You can soak up the scents and colors... They'll no doubt remind you of the paintings of the greatest Chinese artists.