High Resolution JPEG Picture of Over ninety percent of present-day Hani inhabit in the province of Yunnan in southern China, located in the Ailao Mountains, where they have created a majestic form of agriculture over the past centuries. When roaming through the world’s most beautiful rice terrace fields, one should bear in mind that this striking landscape is the result of centuries if not millennia of skilled farmer labor. According to historians, these rice terraces have been built roughly 2.500 years ago, when the ancestors of the Hani ethnicity who came down from the Tibetan Plateau started to settle here. Ever since these lands have been cultivated from generations to generations. Until now, the farmers plow their fields without the aid of any machinery. Without continuous maintenance of the terrace walls, the irrigation system which draws supply from rain water and the mountain streams, would wash down the fragile soil with ease. Although this method of growing rice has allowed Chinese farmers to cultivate sloped, hilly and mountainous land, they might only harvest once a year - In contrast to the flat lands, where it is possible to harvest rice 3 times annually. The breathtaking beauty of the scenery does not only satisfy the heart of a photographer, it’s should be on the tourist map for foreigners exploring China’s South. Yuanyang becomes every day more famous for its profound culture and the variety of natural beauty. For those seeking picturesque nature or simply escaping the city life, venturing the 326 kilometers from Kunming up to Yuanyang pays off as soon as you’ll reach one of the several viewpoints. From there, you’ll witness the reflections of a setting sun flooding the surface of the paddies. Not just the views are stunning, also the clean air which soothes well the heavily strained lungs of a city dweller. Yunanyang’s rice terraces have been voted to one of China's 17 most scenic places. This honor does not remain unnoticed, the touristic infrastructure is increasing steadily [1201468574] stock photo
