Overview
Track on the stunning rice terrace fields dominated by Hani villages in Yuanyang
Kunming – Jianshui – Yuanyang – Luxi - Stone Forest - Kunming
One sight is absolutely positioned to one of the Yunnan’s most spectacular highlights, which is rice terraces in Yuanyang. Terrace farming is by no means unique to Yuanyang area, but its long history, intensively cultivation, overwhelming scenic beauty and colorful minorities here. About 2,500 years ago, the Hani people's ancestors came to this steep mountain area and built the vast rice-terraces for crops through generations. So many terraces set among the misty forests and verdant hills above fog line, mottled with picturesque villages and Hani’s unique mushroom-shaped houses all the way up the slopes, create a fantastic and impressive land of art. In 1993, Yong Rama, a French independent film producer discovered Yuanyang and shot the movie of “The Sculptor of Mountains”. Thus Yuanyang and its magical terraces could spread to the outsiders. Every year photographers and tourists descend on Yuanyang to capture the stunning landscapes and flooded terraces. Besides its scenic attraction, Yuanyang is home to many ethnic groups including majority of Hani and lesser of Yi, Miao and Yao. The people wearing traditional clothes could be easily seen during daily life and frequently local markets. This tour will be focused in Yuanyang’s amazing terraced fields along with the diverse ethnic communities and some very distinctive towns and villages in southeast part of Yunnan, giving you a generous and unforgettable experience.
Outline Itinerary
Day 01 Arrival Kunming & City Sightseeing (D)
Day 02 To Jianshui via a Mongol village (B)
Day 03 Yuanyang & Rice terraces sunset (B)
Day 04 Yuanyang rice terrace & Hani villages (B)
Day 05 Alu Caves & Yi village (B)
Day 06 Stone Forest & Return to Kunming (B)
Day 07 Kunming Departure (B)
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Detail Itinerary
Day 01: Arrival Kunming & City Sightseeing (D)
Upon arrival in Kunming and transferred to hotel. After some rest visit Bamboo Temple, a Buddhist temple established during the Tang Dynasty, displayed exquisite 500 arhats sculptures. Then take a leisurely stroll along the Green Lake, a charming area of teahouses and small boutiques selling handicrafts and paintings. Later free wander the interesting flower market. Dinner will be served as the local flavor mushroom hot pot, one of Yunnan’s characters with infinite varieties.
Day 02: To Jianshui via a Mongol village (B)
Morning take the road southward to Jianshui. On the way stop at Xingmeng, the Yunnan’s only remaining village of Mongols settled with Kublai Khan’s expeditionary force over 700 years. Later be in town of Tonghai, visit Xiushan Park, walk through overgrown hill with array of ancient temples and pavilions in various styles of Taoism, Buddhism and Confucianism. In Jianshui, visit the remarkable Confucius Temple, the third largest Confucian temple in China. Visit Zhu Family Garden, an outstanding example of a Qing dynasty traditional ancestral home took 30 years to build, lots of pretty courtyards inside.
Day 03: Yuanyang & Rice terraces sunset (B)
This morning visit Zhang Family Garden in fascinating Tuanshan village, admire the exquisite architectures and old courtyards with the ornate woodcarvings, calligraphy and paintings. On the way visit the ‘Twin Dragon Bridge’, one of the 10 oldest bridges in China dating back to Qing Dynasty. Then drive further south towards Yuanyang through some stunning ethnic villages and beautiful scenery. Yuanyang is famed for mass rice terraces carved on Ailao Mountains by Hani people making a living for centuries. After arrived, head out for Tiger Mouth Terrace for sunset, one of the most representative and spectacular paddy terraces in Yuanyang.
Day 04: Yuanyang rice terrace & Hani villages (B)
Today you will experience the rice terraces and engineering with distinct features in Yuanyang, along with authentic customs and traditions of various ethnic minorities in the villages. Wake up early morning to witness a magnificent sunrise over the rice terraces (around 6 am). Thereafter visit a bustling market where we can see the local people from different ethnic groups wearing their traditional attire for trading. It’s a great photo opportunity! Next, we move to a Hani village to visit Hani family and their lovely mushroom houses. In the late afternoon, enjoy the breathtaking sunset view in another rice terrace, one of the essence highlights in the region.
Day 05: Alu Caves & Yi village (B)
Morning leave Yuanyang and take the way to Luxi. Visit Alu Caves, the very unique underground stalactites. Later, drive about 20km to visit a Yi village with its magical and featured Yi style architectures. Over 1000 houses are constructed on the hill terrain all the way up the slopes, connecting with one another, looks like a huge honeycomb from a distant view.
Day 06: Stone Forest & Return to Kunming (B)
Today drive to visit Stone Forest, a bizarre karst geology with massive collection of grey limestone pillars. Split and eroded by wind and rainwater, the tallest of the pillars reaches 30m high. In the afternoon, drive back to Kunming. Rest time leave your own exploration for this eternal spring city.
Day 07: Kunming Departure (B)
Transfer to the airport/train station to see off. There are daily flights/trains to China’s major cities.
Experiences & Activities
- Marvel at the breathtaking sunrise or sunset over the Yuanyang rice terraces
- Step back in time in old courtyards, gardens and Confucian Temple in Jianshui
- Get lost in the bizarre labyrinth of Stone Forest with myriad rock pillars
- Discover some traditional ethnic villages and meet friendly local people
- Visit set of gorgeous caves lies within a large karst formation at Luxi
- Experience the unique Hani, Mongol, Yi and Yao cultures and lifestyles
