Many travelers said the rice terrace is so much like the Great Wall in China for they are wonders of human being. Chinese people use their own wisdom and their skillful hands to get the most out of nature and create the “Art of Earth”. Yuanyang Rice Terrace is the core area of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Cultural Landscape of Honghe Hani Rice Terrace covering 16,603-hectares in southern Yunnan. Over the past 1300 years, Hani people have been working among the rice paddies generation after generation, creating the most incredible masterpiece by their own hands.
Yuanyang Rice Terrace is in the south of Yunnan, about 320 kilometers from Kunming. Most travelers would start from Kunming and then make the transfer to Yuanyang with about 5.5-6 hours’ driving. This 3-day Yuanyang tour is the classic discovery of Yuanyang Rice Terrace with all highlights included. You won’t miss the chance to catch sunrise at Duoyishu, sunset at Bada, misty Hani village with numerous mushroom houses at Azheke, blue rice terraces in Aichun...You will definitely meet the most beautiful rice terrace in Yuanyang.
Day 1 Kunming - Yuanyang
Drive from Kunming to Yuanyang - Longshuba Rice Terrace
Today, you’ll be picked up at your hotel in Kunming downtown area. The following journey is about 320 kilometers’ driving from Kunming to Yuanyang which takes about 4.5 hours on the way. Yuanyang Rice Terrace, regarded as the most beautiful rice terrace in China, is the core area of the UNESCO World Heritage called the Cultural Landscape of Honghe Hani Rice Terraces.
Upon arrival in Yuanyang, you’ll have time to explore around Xinjie Town with a short hiking trip to Longshuba Rice Terrace (3.5km, about 45mins). Longshuba is different from other rice terraces for the oxygen in the water here varies from other fields, so it’s famous for the unique red duckweed upon the layer by layer rice paddies. Catch the best moment to enjoy the gentle and gorgeous rice terrace view during the sunset period.
After the tour, you’ll be escorted to your hotel in Yuanyang. Have a good rest tonight.
Longshuba Rice Terrace
Mushroom Houses
Day 2 Yuanyang (B, L)
Duoyishu Rice Terrace - Aichun Village - Azheke Village - Bada Rice Terrace
On this day, try to get up early and head to Duoyishu Rice Terrace to watch sunrise. Duoyishu is the best place to shoot sunrise and misty Hani village, surrounded by high mountains in three sides and stretching to the valley in one side. There are many mushroom-like houses dotted aside the rice paddies, just like the sailboat moving into the sea. The ray appears splendidly over the high mountains at first light and when the sun rises up, the whole rice terraces change its colors from quiet blue into golden, shining brilliantly.
Later, move from Duoyishu Rice Terrace to Aichun Village which is about 5km away to see the blue rice terrace. It is in blue not because the water here is blue but for the terrace is the huge mirrors of the blue sky. Standing at a high observation deck, you can feast your eyes with a beautiful painting scrolls with azure sky and white clouds above, blue rice terraces layer by layer on the ground, traditional Hani houses hidden among the trees at a short distance... (Travel tip: come to visit Aichun Village during 09:00-10:00 which is the best time to appreciate blue rice terrace.)
The following time is a leisure cultural trip to Azheke Village, the most primitive Hani Village and its 51 mushroom houses are listed into the protective mushroom houses in Yuanyang. Azheke Village is the best example of harmony living between humankind and nature, fully presenting Forest - Village - River - Clouds fused together. Walking into the village, you’ll numerous old mushroom houses, stone mills, sheep, buffaloes, back pigs, smoke rising continuously from the chimneys…Pay a visit to one of the local Hani families and have a good talk with them to know their daily life and ethnic customs.
In this afternoon, have a nice shoot in the spectacular Bada Rice Terrace - the best place to shoot sunset and catch the terrace panorama. At dusk, when the sun shines on the 950-hectare rice paddies rising from 800 meters to 2000 meters, then the magnificent scene forms - like the ladders toward heaven led by bright light. Hold your breath when sunset glow shining upon the paddies and you'll see the 3700-level terraces first turns pink, then rosy and later dark red, pink, golden and white…
After the tour, be transferred to your hotel in Yuanyang.
Bada Rice Terrace
Duoyishu Rice Terrace
Blue Rice Terrace in Aichun Village
Azheke Village, the most primitive Hani Village
Day 3 Yuanyang - Kunming & Kunming Departure (B, L)
Ethnic Market & Bazaar in Yuanyang - Drive back to Kunming for Departure
After breakfast, catch the last moment to enjoy the beautiful morning in Yuanyang and take many great pictures as you like. Your guide and driver will escort you to attend the Ethnic Market & Bazaar in Yuanyang, a bustling place for local people who dressed in traditional ethnic costumes trading daily supplies, including fresh vegetable, fruits, meats, and many other kinds of food and daily necessities. It is a great opportunity to get close to Hani people’s living conditions.
On the way back to Kunming, you’ll have the chance to stop for relaxing exploration about some other primitive ethnic villages near Yuanyang County.
With 5-6 hours’ driving, you’ll get to Kunming. After arriving in Kunming, transfer to the airport or train station to catch your flight/train (after 18:00) to next destination or back home.
Note: If your time is flexible, you can add one more day to pay a visit to Jianshui Ancient Town which is on the way between Yuanyang and Kunming. All the attractions and itinerary can be customized based on your like and time. Please feel free to contact us.
The Only Mongolian Village in Yunnan - Xingmeng Village
Ethnic Market & Bazaar in Yuanyang
In this trip, you will explore two of the most charming places in Yunnan: Lijiang - the Kingdom of Naxi People and Shangri-La - Garden of Eden! Here, you are in a world of minority people, temples, old towns, ancient streets, lakes, rivers, mountains…splendid culture and breathtaking scenery are waiting for you to explore.
In this 4 days Lijinag & Shangri-La highlights tour, you’ll graspe every second to enjoy yourself on the incredible land – have panoramic view of Lijiang Ancient City, explore the authentic Naxi Village to feel the special Dongba Culture, visit Ganden Sumtseling Monastery, and take a light hike to Tiger Leaping Gorge that is the world's deepest gorge. You will just find the tour fabulous every moment!
1. This price is for one person, based on a group of 2 adults sharing one standard double-bed room in 4-star hotel and traveling with our private tour in low seasons.
2. This price is subject to change according your traveling season, group size, hotel class, change of activities in your itinerary and possible fluctuation of currency exchange rate. If you want a lower price, you can get more people to join you, or use economy class hotels.
3. This price is only valid to March 31, 2023.
4. Reference exchange rate of USD 1=RMB 6.85. The final quote is based on current exchange rate. It may change according to the currency fluctuation, while the RMB quotation will be remained the same.
Dear Jack,
I have tried to leave the following review with tripadvisor several times now but somehow it is not accepted, I do not know why.
"Just back from our 9-day trip to Yunnan, long planned and waited for. It was our second time with China Discovery Tours. Once again they tailored the tour according to our ideas and interests - and succeeded in surprising us! Thanks to the local guides we learned a lot about history, traditions and customs, and, of course, food. We always felt in safe hands and the organization was just perfect with enough on spot flexibility. Big thanks to Jack who figured it all out so well and to the next time with China Discovery! Johannes (GER) & Elizabeth (GRC)"
Thanks again for an excellent trip, best regards, Johannes&Elizabeth
Hi Jack!
It's was great, we loved it! Our tour guide Frank was very kind, informative, and funny :) We loved how easy it was and how much we got to see in a day, I will definitely recommend to our friends!
Hi Jack,
we will be happy to when we get back to Shanghai It was a great trip and Kevin was a wonderful guide!
Lisa
Hi Jack,
Absolutely fantastic trip. We enjoyed every moment and the guides were all really good.
I might only have one more year in China and I would like to see more. I believe that the best way for me is smaller trips leaving Thursday evening and returning Sunday.
Soren
Hi Jack,
Thank for our trip. Well organised. Driver & guide were super ! We have been lucky to have a sunny weather and the lantern festival! And not toooooo cold, only if you compare to the week before !
Helene
"Highest Standards of Quality and Honesty" is the core value of each specialized team at China Discovery.
Eveyone in our company is working hard for only one goal, which is to ensure the highest level of service, luxury, and attention to detail from the minute you begin planning your trip, to the day you return home.
Our travel consultants are professional, experienced and responsible, helping you from the very beginning to the end of your China trip!
After sending us an inquiry, one of our travel consultants will get back to you within 0.5~23.5 hrs. In the next few days, he/she will be working closely with you to formulate a customized tour plan, as well as providing professional suggestions based on your travel interests, time, and budget.
Beside, he/she will keep in contact with you during your entire tour in China, continually checking if everything is going well as planned.
We're working at Chengdu Bamboo International Tours, local based in Chengdu.
Our local guide in every destination is not only very friendly, enthusiastic but also very informative and knowledgeable.
Once you arrive in the destination, the patient and punctual guides will pick you up and take you to get under skin of the city at your own pace. By in-depth discovery and explanation, they’ll show you more about the history, culture, customs and authentic local life. Throughout the journey, they're not only expert guides who take care of all the details but also fellow travelers who are dedicated to help you explore in comfort and style.
Our guides are passionate about what they do, and it shows all the way!
Using our private transfer service makes you comfortable, relaxed and worry free all the way!
Our private service includes licensed drivers with many years’ driving experience and air-conditioned, non-smoking, clean and well-maintained cars/vans. Drivers are local, polite, friendly and helpful, taking you to your tourist sites, hotels, airport/train stations in safety. All kinds of vehicle are offered, and yours depends on the size of your group. Usually, we offer sedan cars, SUVs, business vans (MPV) and different types of buses, all with extra space for your luggage.
Our private transfer service guarantees you the highest comfort!
In each destination, you’ll enjoy a comfortable stay in a great location!
The hotels we choose are based on star rating, great locations, well-equipped facilities, cozy bed, high quality service and guests’ feedbacks. Choices are a lot ranging from luxury 5 star, comfortable 4 star to budget 3 star. You could decide where to stay to best suit for your budget and likes. Generally, the hotels have both Western and Chinese breakfast with a wide choices.
If you have already got an ideal hotel, please feel free to tell our travel consultants and they'll book the hotel for you.
Have good sleep in our well-selected hotels in all the destinations of China.
We can satisfy all the dietary requirements no matter you want Chinese local food, western food, vegetarian food or muslin food.
The restaurants we will take you for lunch or dinner are all designated tourist restaurants approved by local tourist administration bureau. They have very good sanitary conditions and the food is prepared fresh and clean.
There will be some meals excluded in your itinerary as you like, and your private guide will be delighted to give you some suggestions and take you to the local restaurants to taste like Beijing Roast Duck, Xian Dumpling Dinner, Sichuan Hotpot, etc., if you are interested in local food tasting.
All the dining options will satisfy your stomach!
Longshuba Rice Terrace
Mushroom Houses
Bada Rice Terrace
Duoyishu Rice Terrace
Blue Rice Terrace in Aichun Village
Azheke Village, the most primitive Hani Village
The Only Mongolian Village in Yunnan - Xingmeng Village
Ethnic Market & Bazaar in Yuanyang
Kunming / Yuanyang / Kunming
Kunming / Stone Forest / Yuanyang / Kunming
Kunming / Stone Forest / Yuanyang / Jianshui / Kunming
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