Cedric Zhe Wang
Gallery
Honghe Hani Rice Terraces, Yuanyang, Yunnan Province, China
Designated as a World Cultural Heritage Site in 2013, Yuanyang is home to Hani, Yi, and some other ethnic groups. During the last 1300 years, local people have been constructing terraced fields on the slope of the Ailao Mountains for rice cultivation. This wonder co-created by humans and nature has attracted tourists per year to visit this area for appreciating the masterpiece of terraced fields.
Click to see UNESCO's information:
I visited the core zone of the Heritage Site two times in the Spring and Autumn of 2017 for fieldwork and survey investigations. In-depth studies of people's livelihoods and tourism participation were carried out in seven out of a total of 82 villages within the core zone.
Some photos that I took in the field are shown in this gallery.
Pugaolaozhai village 普高老寨
New hotels and hostels expanded the area of this village after the starting of tourism in 2006. Visitors preferred to live here for its proximity to the viewing platform of watching sunrise. Over half of the houses have been used for hospitality.
About half of the hotels were run by outsiders, who rented the entire house from local Hani people. Land renting is prohibited according to the homestead policy in rural China. House-leasing was an important livelihood for Pugaolaozhai villagers.
Garbage were randomly pulled to the road side. Hygiene remains a major problem in the village due to lack of facilities and management.
New hotels and hostels expanded the area of this village after the starting of tourism in 2006. Visitors preferred to live here for its proximity to the viewing platform of watching sunrise. Over half of the houses have been used for hospitality.
Xinzhai village 新寨
Not all terraces are paddy fields. On the steep slopes and land near the village, "dry" terraces are planted with trees, corn and vegetables.
A local villager built and ran this hotel. It has a mix of architectural styles: western Roman Columns and the mushroom house-like façade. Yellow façade color is a mandatory color for new buildings overseen by the Terraces Authority (the government office responsible for heritage management).
Solid waste becomes a problem when the flood comes.
Not all terraces are paddy fields. On the steep slopes and land near the village, "dry" terraces are planted with trees, corn and vegetables.
Duoyishu Lower village 多依樹下寨
The terraced fields are usually located on the downhill slopes of the village. Above is the forest. Water, a central Hani worship, is stored in the forest soil, flows through the village for daily use, and fills the terraced fields. The forests are believed as places where the gods live.
"Beautiful Countryside" has been listed as a national policy in rural China to improve infrastructure. Duoyishu has been chosen as a pilot village. Funds were allocated to repair roads and villagers' houses.
Student helpers were interviewing a mom in Duoyishu. As in other villages, women and children stay in their hometown.
The terraced fields are usually located on the downhill slopes of the village. Above is the forest. Water, a central Hani worship, is stored in the forest soil, flows through the village for daily use, and fills the terraced fields. The forests are believed as places where the gods live.
Aicun village 愛村
When play Moqiu, two people ride on or hold each end of a wooden post, repeatedly rise, fall, and rotate.
Hotels near Aicun Village are all on the roadside, but most of them are empty. The village is famous for its blue rice terraces that only appear around 9-10am. Few tourists stay longer.
In order to protect the zhai shen lin forest from being demolished and develop tourism, the villagers clashed with the tourism company. Now, these woodlands are fenced and protected.
When play Moqiu, two people ride on or hold each end of a wooden post, repeatedly rise, fall, and rotate.
Azheke village 阿者科村
Most traditional Hani "mushroom" houses in Azheke have been preserved by traditional village protection schemes.
Most traditional Hani "mushroom" houses in Azheke have been preserved by traditional village protection schemes.
Qingkou village 箐口村
Qingkou is the first place in the area to have tourism. Ethnic tourism, which is mainly based on ethnic performances, once attracted more than 2,000 tourists a day on average.
Qingkou is the first place in the area to have tourism. Ethnic tourism, which is mainly based on ethnic performances, once attracted more than 2,000 tourists a day on average.
Mengpin village 勐品村
Mengpin is a Yi village next to the Laohuzui Rice Terraces. The Yi people value education and hard work. Many young people work or study outside.
Mengpin is a Yi village next to the Laohuzui Rice Terraces. The Yi people value education and hard work. Many young people work or study outside.