2021 Kunming | 6 Days Jianshui+Yuanyang Rice Terraces Tour

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2021 Kunming | 6 Days Jianshui+Yuanyang Rice Terraces Tour

Shoot the Most Beautiful Rice Terrace in China

Yuanyang County, famous for Yuanyang Rice Terrace, which is reputed as the most beautiful rice terrace in China, is located in Honghe Prefecture in southeastern Yunnan Province. Yuanyang Rice Terrace is the core area of the UNESCO World Heritage called the Cultural Landscape of Honghe Hani Rice Terraces, lying an altitude ranging from 140 meters along the Red River up to nearly 3,000 meters above sea level in the Ailao Mountain. 

Over the past 1300 years, Hani ethnic group living on this incredible remote land, have developed a complex system of channels to bring water from the forested mountaintops to the terraces. They live in 82 villages situated between the mountaintop forests and the terraces. And these villages feature traditional thatched “mushroom” houses. 

Yuanyang is about 320 kilometers from Kunming, the capital of Yunnan Province and the most important gateway city to Yuanyang Rice Terrace. With several hours’ driving to Yuanyang, you will not only feast your eyes with unbelievable rice terraces with layers upon layers down to the valley, but you can fully experience the ethnic culture, festival, markets, daily life of Hani group...

Travelers who get to Yuanyang should understand two locations - Yuanyang New Town and Yuanyang Old Town. Yuanyang New Town is called Nansha and Yuanyang Old Town is called Xinjie Town. To visit Yuanyang Rice Terraces, travelers should head to the old Town - Xinjie. From Xinjie Town, you can head to many rice terrace scenic spots to enjoy the stunning scenery. Since Yuanyang Rice Terrace is not easy to reach, why not traveling with CETtrip fort a worry free Yuanyang Rice Terrace trip?

Highlights of this tour

• Get to the most beautiful rice terrace in China - Yuanyang Rice Terrace in southern Yunnan with a long scenic driving from Kunming to Yuanyang;
  

• Catch the gorgeous sun rising over the quiet Duoyishu Rice Terrace and shoot the sunset falling down the Bada Rice Terrace;

• Take trips to the local Hani villages dotted with the typical mushroom houses and pay a visit to their home for a better known about their daily life.
  

• Explore the must-see Stone Forest aboveground to marvel at the amazing Karst world of countless diverse shaped erecting pinnacles;
  

• Get down to Jiuxiang Cave to be intoxicated with the gorgeous palace of various stalactites and stalagmites ignited into a splendid wonderland;

• Enjoy a refreshing walk at beautiful Western Hills to see the outstanding Dragon Gate and overlook the peaceful Dianchi Lake and Kunming City;
  

• Soak in the laid-back life pace in the City of Spring to enjoy your romantic holiday with classic visits to the top city bests.

Trip Overview

Travelers can come all the year round and for professional photographers, the best time is from November to the next March. The weather changes a lot in Yuanyang Rice Terrace even in one day. Please be patient to wait for the best landscape appearing.

• Day1 Arrive at Kunming,  Live in Kunming City and then it is your own time to explore Kunming City

• Day2 Kunming-Jianshui Ancient town-Zhu Family Garden-Yuanyang Bada Rice Terrace Senic Spot, Live in Yuanyang

• Day3 Duoyishu Rice Terrace Sunrise - Aichun Blue Rice Terrace - Azheke Mushroom Houses- Laoyingzui Rice Terrace Sunset, Live in Yuanyang

• Day4 Yuanyang Rice Terraces Half Day Hike-Kunming, Live in Kunming City

• Day5 Kunming City-Jiuxiang Karst Cave-Stone Forest-Kunming City Live in Kunming City

• Day6 Western Hill-Yuangtong Temple-Green Lake Kunming-Depature

“For a traveler, if you don’t go to Yuanyang and Yuanyang will be sad for you; for a photographer, if you don’t go to Yuanyang and God will be sad for you.” Every traveler come to Yuanyang for the amazing Hani Rice Terraces and come to Bada Rice Terrace for magnificent SUNSET, Duoyishu Rice Terrace for the beautiful SUNRISE.

FYI：In case of rain, traffic jam or any other unpredictable situations, CET reserves the rights to adjust the schedule.

Yuanyang Rice Terraces

Yuanyang Rice Terraces is the most beautiful rice terraces in China. It includes many small scenic spots like Duoyishu, Baba, Longshuba with different beautiful views.

Duoyishu Rice Terraces

Duoyishu Rice Terraces is the best site to watch SUNRISE shine down over the 400-hectare rice paddies, shoot sea of clouds and enjoy harmonious Hani folk life.

Bada Rice Terraces

The 950-hectare rice terraces is like the ladders to the heaven with over 3700 levels, rising up from 800 meters to 2000 meters. It’s the best spot for spectacular sunset.

Laohuzui Rice Terraces

Also called Mengpin Rice Terraces. The 460-hectare terraces is the steepest, the grandest and the most magnificent rice terraces for shooting sunset.

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.

Aichun Village 

Aichun Village is the best place 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.

Stone Forest

Formed 270 million years ago, Stone Forest is the oldest karst landform in China. Listed as the UNESCO World Natural Heritage site, it is No.1 attraction in Kunming!

Jiuxiang Karst Caves

It is praised as the museum of Karst caves with over 100 in various sizes. Take the boat and escalator down to explore the colorful large palace belowground!

Western Hill

Western Hills is a forest park sitting next to the beautiful Dian Lake, and historical sites spread among the green forest. This is a great place for relaxing and hiking.

Green Lake Kunming

This park is the jade and eye of Kunming and favored for a leisure walk. Diverse summer lotus flowers and winter black-headed gulls are not to be missed!

Yuantong Temple

With 1,200 years’ history, it is the city’ largest temple site and attracts numerous visitors by the rich Buddhist features and lovely garden styled layout with ponds, pavilions, corridors…!

Bird and Flower Market

Birds and Flowers Markets in Kunming selling various flowers, birds, fishes... is a nice place to hang out and get close to authentic daily life of local citizens.

Basic Tour Information

Activity Place: Kunming City Yunnan Province

Activity Date:  2021 Group Tour Dates

• Every Monday/Friday (Holiday price is different)
  

Trip Length: 6D/5N

Meeting point: Kunming Hotel(Pick up and drop off service is available)

Group Trip fee: Local Traveling bus+Meals+Accommondations+Guide+Insurance

• Normal Price: 2885RMB/pax, pay the deposit 885RMB/pax when you book the trip.

• Group Discount: 2835RMB/pax if 3 or more than 3 seats booked together, pay the deposite 835RMB/pax when you book the trip.

• Kid Price: Children are less than 1.2m and the kids doesnt need beds which is 1585RMB. Children above 1.2m are the same as adult.

• Single Supplement: 1880RMB for the Singleroom supplement if you live alone.

Participants: The Group trip fee is for at least 4 people, if only two people the price will 580RMB/pax more to make the trip confirmed.

Driver and Vehicle: 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 the group. Usually, we offer sedan cars, SUVs, business vans (MPV) and different types of buses.

Travel Advisor: Kate15522215077  (English & Mandarin) if you have any question, please call us.

Please Note: Please feel free to contact our travel advisor 

Book Your Tickets Online

Press this QR Code and Extract it to book your seat.

Recent news: Due to the collapse caused by the sudden mud-rock flow and heavy rain in Yuanyang, the Tiger Mouth Rice Terraces is temporarily closed. At present, Duoyishu scenic area and Bada scenic area are still opening to the public. We will update the news once we get the official notice of the reopening of the Tiger Mouth Rice Terraces.

Best Time & Weather Condition: Travelers can come all the year round and for professional photographers, the best time is from November to the next March. The weather changes a lot in Yuanyang Rice Terrace even in one day. Please be patient to wait for the best landscape appearing.

Please note: the photography sites will do some adjustments according to the season, weather condition, sunrise and sunset time, etc. We are here providing you the professional photography itinerary and tips.

Statement about the Trip Fee

What is includes in the cost?

• Guide for the whole trip.
  

• Traveling bus with experienced driver.

• Pick up and drop off service

• Drivers' accommadations and meals for the whole trip.
  

• Accommodation: 5 Nights Hotel, 2 nights in Yuanyang Country, 3 night in Kunming

• Meals: D2 Breakfast; D3 Breakfast; D4 Breakfast; D5 Breakfast; Day6 Breakfast

• 6 Days outdoor insurance.
  

What is not included in the cost?(The trip fee doesnt include the tickets fee)

• About Western Hill: 80RMB

• About Stone Forest: 130RMB, E-Car 25RMB

• About Jiuxiang Karst Cave: 100RMB(Inlcude entrance tickets, boating ,elevator)

• About Chaoyang Tower: 20RMB

• About Zhu Family Garden: 35RMB

• About Yuanyang Rice Terraces: 100RMB

• About Local Hike Guide fee in Yuanyang Rice Terrace:300RMB/day(Share by Group)

Please Note: We want to have a positive effect everywhere we go, we don’t take commissions or kickbacks, and we don’t take you on detours for shopping.

Statement about the Refund

• If you cancel this trip more than 7 days before depature, we will fully refund

• If you cancel this trip within 7 days before depature, no refund of the deposit fee

About Insurance: Our trip leader will collect your insurance information 3 days before this trip happens, if you didnt fill the form when he collects the informations or gave the wrong information, it means you give up this trip's insurance and the accident compensation.

Full Itinerary Day by Day

Day1 Arrive at Kunming,  Live in Kunming City and then it is your own time to explore Kunming City

Accommodation: Overnight in Kunming city

Welcome to Kunming, the Spring City of China! Upon arrival at the Kunming airport/train station, the local tour guide and driver will meet you in the arrival hall and escort you to your hotel and help you check in. The the rest day is your own time to explore the Spring City.

Arrival Ideas: You can take a direct flight from more than 110 domestic cities and some international destinations including Hong Kong, Macao, Singapore, San Francisco, Tokyo, London, and Los Angeles. Also, you can take a bullet train from Chengdu (5.5 hours), Chongqing (4 hours), Guilin (8 hours), Guiyang (2 hours), Guangzhou (7 hours), Beijing (11 hours), Shanghai (11 hours), Hong Kong (7.5 hours), etc. with convenience!

Free-time Ideas (If you arrive early): In this afternoon, go to enjoy a cultural visit to Birds and Flowers Markets in Kunming which is selling various flowers, birds, fishes... is a nice place to hang out and get close to authentic daily life of local citizens. Or go to have a walk along Dianchi Lake. This national No.6 largest alpine lake is the pearl of Kunming for relaxing sightseeing. It is another hot place to play with the black-headed gulls in winter!

Day2 Kunming-Jianshui Ancient town-Zhu Family Garden-Yuanyang Bada Rice Terrace Senic Spot, Live in Yuanyang

Transfer: By bus, From Kunming-Yuanyang, 320km, around 6 hour.

Accommodation: Overnight in Yuanyang

After breakfast, your guide and driver will meet your at your hotel. The following journey is about 180 kilometers’ driving from Kunming to Jianshui Ancient Town which takes about 2-2.5 hours. Jianshui Ancient Town is reputed as “Museum of Ancient Buildings and Residential Houses”. With a history over 1200 years, Jianshui Ancient Town is even older than Lijiang Old Town. Stroll leisurely along the old street and explore different kinds of ancient wells to witness how water plays an important role in making the famous Jianshui Tofu and Steam Pot Chicken. 

Afterwards, walk to the grand Chaoyang Tower, the landmark of Jianshui. Reputed as “Little Tian’anmen” with similar construction, Chaoyang Tower has a history even older than Tian’anmen in Beijing. This imposing Ming edifice is also modeled on the Yellow Crane Town in Wuhan and Yueyang Tower in Hunan. (Extra experience: you can climb up to this three-storey tower for a panoramic view of the whole Jianshui Ancient Town.)

Later, move your steps to Zhu Family Garden, a spacious 20,000-sq-meter residential complex built in Qing Dynasty comprising ancestral buildings, family homes, ponds and lovely gardens. When walking into the garden, you’ll get amazed at its layout, exquisite design and elegant garden scenery.

After lunch we will go to Yuanyang Rice Terrace,  which takes about 3-3.5 hours. 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 arriving in Yuanyang, you’ll 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, you’ll be escorted to your hotel in Yuanyang. Have a good rest tonight.

Day3 Duoyishu Rice Terrace Sunrise - Aichun Blue Rice Terrace - Azheke Mushroom Houses- Laoyingzui Rice Terrace Sunset, Live in Yuanyang

Accommodation: Overnight in Yuanyang

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.

Lastly, be transferred to Laoyingzui Rice Terrace for the beautiful sunset. This terrace is the steepest one and another good spot for shooting sunset. It is at the top of a cliff with an inclination of 90° that you’ll see the rice terraces from above just like an eagle does. What attracts travelers most is the gorgeous multiple colors of the rice terraces, just like the colorful palette being scattered on the land with magic. Catch the best time to shoot many pictures as you like.

Today is your time to enjoy one of the most beautiful Rice Terraces: Yuangyang. The scenery of the terraced fields in Yuanyang is at its best from November to the following April. 

Day4 Yuanyang Rice Terraces Half Day Hike-Kunming, Live in Kunming City

Transfer: By bus, From Yuanyang-Kunming, 320km, around 6-6.5 hour.

Accommodation: Overnight in Kunming City

After breakfast, catch the last moment to enjoy the beautiful morning in Yuanyang. Hiking among the rice paddies is the best way to throw yourselves into the beautiful scenery. Today We will have a half day hike along the classic route between Pugao Laozhai and Azheke.

After that, you'll be driven back to Kunming and check in the hotel in downtown area.

Photography Tips:

• Sun rises up during 06:00~07:30 and usually around 07:00 in the spring time. If you are professional photographers, you’d better get up at 05:00 and arrive at the viewing decks around 05:30 to find a good location. Otherwise, travelers can come around 06:30.

• To capture the magnificent Duoyishu Rice Terrace, it is good to use wide angle (14mm~24mm, 17mm~35mm) and telephoto lenses (70mm~200mm or above). A tripod and lens hood will make your pictures perfect when shooting sunrise over the rice paddies. Also, polarizer and gradual change grey color lenses will help you get better terrace pictures. The weather of Duoyishu changes a lot and it is good to take waterproofing and damp proofing measure.

• The sun goes down during 18:00~20:00. In the spring time (March to May), it is usually during 19:10~19:50, in summer (June to August) at 19:25~19:57, in autumn (September to November) at 18:20~19:26 and in winter (December to February) at 18:20~19:11. If you are professional photographers, you’d better get to Bada Rice Terraces at 16:00 and find a good location for some great pictures with rice terraces, sea of clouds, Hani villages and sunset.

Day5 Kunming City-Jiuxiang Karst Cave-Stone Forest-Kunming City Live in Kunming City

Transfer: By bus, From Kunming-Jiuxiang, 125km, around 3 hour.

Accommodation: Overnight in Kunming City

After breakfast, your local guide and driver will meet you at your hotel and then escort you to discover Jiuxiang Karst Cave first for about 2.5 hours’ riding (125km)! Jiuxiang Scenic Area in Kunming, also called the Museum of Karst Caves, is a cluster of hundreds of karst caves, forming the largest such complex in China. It is about 40 kilometers (25 miles) from the Stone Forest. Jiuxiang Scenic Area and Stone Forest are both karst landscapes. There is a saying that “in Kunming, people can appreciate the stone forest above the ground and karst caves underground”.

Located in the Yi and Hui Autonomous Township of Yiliang, the Jiuxiang Scenic Area not only has beautiful landscapes but also displays the custom and culture of the Yi and Hui minorities. Here, you can appreciate lush forests, narrow canyons and underground caves. The Myth, a film starring Jackie Chan, took this special landscape as a backdrop. The main scenic spots of the Jiuxiang Scenic Area are Green Shady Valley, Grand Underground Valley, Grand Lion Hall, Twin Waterfalls, Fairy Fields and Bat Cave.

After this tour, we will go to Kunming Stone Forest- the “Essence of World Karst Landform” has been listed as the UNESCO World Natural Heritage with the incomparable coverage of 12 square kilometers’ stone pinnacle groups. Take the sightseeing bus to visit the Greater Stone Forest Scenic Area to admire the typical concentrating cinerous stone pinnacles by walking through the maze of stone peaks and jumping high for the panorama of the forest of protruding stone peaks. 

Also, you will see the famous peak on many photos and even stones towering over 40 meters. Then, continue to ride the bus to explore the Lesser Stone Forest to closely look at the iconic stone “Ashima” like a young lady, listen to the touching love story of Ashima, and fill your eyes with the emerald garden-like park of wilder stone peaks surrounded by lush green plants and blossoms. Take the sightseeing bus to exit the scenic park.

After the discovering, drive back to Kunming city and check in the hotel.

Day6 Western Hill-Yuantong temple-Green Lake Kunming-Depature

Please note: Book your flight later than 17:00 today

In the morning, you’ll pay a visit to the famous Western Hills which is called “Sleeping Beauty Hills”, looking like a beautiful young lady lying beside Dian Lake (the largest freshwater in Yunnan and famed as the “Pearl on the Plateau”). It is a particularly pleasant experience to walk in such verdant forest mountain park with elegant sightseeing and a series of cultural relics and sites, including some old temples. 

You will not miss the symbolic visit to the magic Dragon Gate as it says “If you do not visit Western Hill, you haven't visited Kunming; if you do not come to Dragon Gate, you haven't been to Western Hills”, where to admire the colorful old grottoes on the wall and catch the panoramic view of the large peaceful Dianchi Lake and Kunming City. (You can visit the temples if interested. Huating Temple and Taihua Temple are included in the ticket.)

After the tour, you’ll enjoy a cultural visit to Yuantong Temple that is one of the top oldest Buddhist temples in Kunming with more than 1,200 years’ history. Take your stroll there to feel the rich Buddhist atmosphere of three Buddhist sects filling the antique halls and houses specially designed into a traditional Chinese garden layout for a quite different appreciation of temple in China.

Then, walk to Kunming Green Lake nearby. This pretty park with a lovely lake, old-styled pavilions, corridors, flowers, etc. is the most popular place for an authentic feeling of local Kunming people’s leisure life with citizens singing, dancing, talking, exercising, etc.  During November to the next March, Black-headed Gulls from Siberian will never be late to fly there for their expecting comfortable warm winter holiday. Do not miss playing with those adorable and vigorous elfin during your relaxing roam!

After the tour, your guide and driver will escort you to the airport or railway station to catch your flight / train (after 17:00) to next destination. 

Additional Information:

• Please be advised that there will be approximately 10-45 travelers per group

• The above itinerary is for reference only, and is subject to change due to the weather conditions

• Please inform us of any dietary restrictions and allergies if you booked our tour. Please remember to bring any medication that you need with you

• Pregnant women, guests with heart attacks, high blood pressure, respiratory diseases, severe colds, and those who are not suitable for outdoor hiking are advised to carefully decide whether or not to travel according to their own conditions or doctor's advice

• We will contact you between 8:00pmto10:00pm a day before you travel to reconfirm the pick up time and place. Please keep your contact lines or channels available. If you have not received any confirmation after 10:00pm, please contact customer service.

• In case of severe inclement weather or other environmental problems beyond control that causes the tour to be unable to proceed, participants can opt for a reschedule.

CET (Culture Exchange Trip) is a student self-organized service platform focusing on intercultural communication and aimed to create more opportunities for young people from all over the world to have more chances to communicate in more fantastic way like outdoor activities.

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