Terraced Fields In Yuanyang
The Ailao Mountain Range is a branch
of the Yunling Mountains. Its highest peak is 3,165 meters
above sea level. The mountain range, running northwest to
southeast, is the dividing line between the Hengduan Mountains
valley in the west and the plateau in the east of Yunnan,
and stretches several hundred kilometers to the Dawei Mountain,
Huanglian Mountain and Fenshui mountain nature preserves.
The mountain enjoys plentiful rainfall and has numerous springs
and streams. In the autumn and winter, the mountain is covered
with mist, and in the spring,azaleas bloom. In the forests,
ancient pteridophyte lives,and rare state-protected animals
live peacefully.
Many ethnic groups live in the Ailao mountains.The
Dai ethnic group living on the river banks, have turned the
poor land along the river banks into rich farmland.The Yao
ethnic group live in the mild river valley, where many fruits
and edible mushrooms grow. The Yaos also have their own traditional
medicinal herbs. The Miao ethnic group live in the mountains.
The Miao women are good at tie-dying and embroidery. The Hani
and Yi ethnic groups live on the mountain sides. Their terraced
fields are one of the most inspiring scenes in southern Yunnan.
They resemble silver ladders, stretching from the foot of
the mountains right to the top. The fields, sometimes as large
as a dozen mu and sometimes as small as one to two square
meters, are a unique sight.
There are no historical records
as to when terraced fields were first used. However,
according to ancient bronze ware which depicts
the ploughing techniques and folk customs of the
Yi and Hani ethnic groups, they surely have a
long standing history.
The best place to view the
terraced fields isin the south of Yuanyang County,
where the mountains are covered with terraces
extending 2,000 meters, from the mountain top
down to the valley. In winter and spring each
year,the valley is filled with heavy mist, and
the two mountains are like islands floating in
a sea of cloud. Between the terraces, which
reflect silver light, are stretches of green tea
plantations. With plenty of rain and heavy mists,the
Yunwu Tea(cloud and mist tea) produced in the
town by the Yi ethnic group is extremely refreshing.
The Yis are a people who love singing and dancing.Their
dances imitate a hunt and have36parts, describing
the hunting activities of their ancestors.
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Honghe Travel Attractions
Honghe
Jianshui
Yuanyang
Hekou
Zhu family's Garden
Swallow Grotto
Shuanglong Bridge
Confucian Temple
Chaoyang Gate
Tower
Zhilin Monastery
Zhengying Village
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