4 Days Yuanyang and Jianshui Photo Tour

Home > DESTINATIONS > Yunnan Tours

Yuanyang Rice Terrace

Jianshui Zhu Family

Yuanyang Rice Terraces

Stone Forest

4 Days Yuanyang and Jianshui Photo Tour

Kunming-Yuanyang-Jianshui-Kunming

Yuanyang’s Rice Terraces of the Hani ethnic minority are a World Heritage site since 22nd June, 2013. More and more photography-lovers have gravitated to the terraces for the wonderful scenery. The landscape changes vividly through the year. In April, the terraces are all green as rice started to grow, in later parts of the year it is yellowish brown as the rice ripens. During the winter months, the terraces are filled with water, every single one of them reflecting the sky.

The Honghe Hani Rice Terraces marks China's 45th World Heritage and 31st World Cultural Heritage, making China the second country with the most nominations, after Italy.

Jianshui, an ancient town in Honghe Prefecture of Yunnan Province, is one of the national famous historic and cultural towns of China. With a history of about 1200 years and an abundant distinctive cultural heritage, the Ancient Town enjoys a great reputation as a 'Museum of Ancient Buildings and Residential Houses'.

This four days’ tour to Yuanyang and Jianshui combines nature, ethnic groups, adventure, culture and much more! You will experience the amazing beauty of the Yuanyang Rice Terraces. With its highly rated and protected landscape, unique terrace shaped mountains, ethnic customs and cultural heritage, the scenic area of Yuanyang is an excellent travel destination!

from

$553.00

Duration: 4 days
Tour Code: CE-YN-4D03
Departure Date: Every Day
Tour Attractions:Stone Forest/Yuanyang Rice Terraces/Jianshui/villages as Qingkou, Tuanshan and Xingmeng
Feature：Natural Landscape
Tour Type: /Tour Type: Land tour + Private English speaking guide+ Private driver+ Meals

Enquiry Now

Day 1 Kunming – Stone Forest – Danuohei Sani Village (Lunch, Dinner)

At 9:00 am, your private tour guide and driver will meet you at your hotel in Kunming and begin your Yunnan adventure.

Start with a Yunnan Pu’er Tea Ceremony, where you will taste and learn about one of the region’s most famous teas. Your guide will introduce you to the history of Pu’er tea and its connection with the ancient Tea Horse Road, the historic trade route that linked Yunnan with Tibet and other regions of Asia. You will also have the opportunity to purchase Pu’er tea as a memorable local souvenir.

After the tea experience, drive approximately 90 km to the Stone Forest, taking around 1.5 hours, mostly on the highway. Enjoy a local Yunnan lunch before entering the scenic area.

The Stone Forest (Shilin) is one of Yunnan’s most spectacular karst landscapes. Countless limestone formations rise from the ground in a fascinating variety of shapes, creating a natural stone forest. Explore the park’s main trails and viewpoints for approximately 2 hours and enjoy the dramatic scenery.

Afterward, drive about 25 km, or 30 minutes, to Danuohei Sani Village, where you can experience the traditional culture and lifestyle of the Sani people, a branch of the Yi ethnic group.

Danuohei is known for its traditional stone houses and distinctive local customs. Explore the village and learn about traditional architecture, clothing, beliefs, and everyday life.

Overnight in Shilin.

Day 2 Shilin – Yuanyang Rice Terraces (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

After breakfast, drive approximately 300 km to Yuanyang, taking around 4.5 hours. The Yuanyang Rice Terraces are among Yunnan’s most spectacular cultural landscapes and were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2013.

Upon arrival, visit the Bada Rice Terraces, where viewpoints provide sweeping panoramas over the enormous terraced valleys. The layers of rice fields stretch across the mountain slopes and change dramatically with the seasons and light.

Continue to Qingkou Village, a traditional Hani settlement where you can learn more about the culture and architecture of the Hani people.

Later in the afternoon, head to Laohuzui (Tiger’s Mouth), one of the most famous viewpoints in the Yuanyang rice terraces. If weather conditions are favorable, enjoy the colorful sunset reflected across the terraces. The changing light and layered landscape make this an especially popular location for landscape photography.

After sunset, transfer to your hotel.

Overnight in Yuanyang.

Day 3 Yuanyang – Duoyishu Sunrise – Local Market – Tuanshan Village – Jianshui (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Rise early today to watch the sunrise over the Yuanyang Rice Terraces from Duoyishu Village, one of the best-known sunrise viewpoints in the area. As the morning light spreads across the terraces, the flooded rice fields can reflect the sky and surrounding mountains, creating spectacular scenery.

After sunrise, visit a local market near Shengcun, where residents from surrounding villages, including members of local ethnic minority communities, gather to buy and sell food, agricultural products, clothing, and daily necessities. It is a great opportunity to observe everyday life in rural Yunnan.

Continue by vehicle to Jianshui, approximately 130 km away, taking around 3.5 hours.

On the way, visit Tuanshan Village, a historic village known for its well-preserved traditional residences and distinctive architecture. Its historic buildings provide an excellent glimpse into the lifestyle of prosperous families in southern Yunnan.

Upon arrival in Jianshui, visit the Zhu Family Garden, an impressive traditional residential complex featuring courtyards, gardens, ponds, and elegant Qing Dynasty architecture.

Continue to the Jianshui Confucius Temple, one of the most important historic Confucian temples in Yunnan. Explore its traditional courtyards, halls, ancient trees, and stone inscriptions.

Overnight in Jianshui.

Day 4 Jianshui – Tofu Workshop – Xingmeng – Kunming (Breakfast, Lunch)

After breakfast, enjoy a short local tofu-making workshop, lasting approximately 30 minutes. Tofu is an important part of Jianshui’s local food culture, and this hands-on experience offers an interesting introduction to traditional food preparation in the region.

After the workshop, drive approximately 210 km back to Kunming, taking around 3.5 hours, mostly on the highway.

On the way, stop at Xingmeng, a community known for its distinctive Mongolian heritage in Yunnan. Learn about the local community and discover how Mongolian cultural traditions have been preserved and adapted in southwestern China.

Upon returning to Kunming, visit the Yunnan Provincial Museum to learn more about the history, archaeology, ethnic cultures, and natural heritage of Yunnan.

Continue to Guandu Ancient Town, one of Kunming’s historic neighborhoods. Take a leisurely walk through its traditional streets, temples, old buildings, and local shops.

According to your departure schedule, your guide and driver will transfer you to Kunming city center or Kunming Airport.

Your 4-day Yunnan cultural and landscape tour ends here. We look forward to welcoming you back to Yunnan in the future!

Optional Evening Activity: For travelers with extra time, an evening performance of the Dynamic Yunnan cultural show can be arranged.

Back to More Kunming Tours

person	1person	2-3person	4-5person	6-10person	Single Supplement
Tourist Class	$2340	$1380	$940	$700	$580

Price Including

Centrally located hotels with breakfast (as per chosen category; based on twin-bed room for 2 pax);
Authentic Chinese lunch as listed, 4 meals in total per person
Private transportation with skilled driver, including hotel pick-up and drop off; including gas, toll fee and parking fee etc.
Private English-speaking tour guide (1 tour guide from day 1 to day 4)
Entrance fees for the attractions listed in the program
2 bottles of local drinking water per person per day
Compensation fee for meals and accommodations for tour guide and driver when outside of Kunming
24/7 English-speaking customer services
Government taxes

Price excluding

Flight tickets
Meals not listed in the program
Destinations not listed in the program
Chinese visa (China requires visa for most travelers)
Personal Travel Accident Insurance
Personal expenses
Tips for the driver and tour guide (highly appreciated but not requested)
Surcharges for upgrades from standard twin-bed rooms to doubled-bed rooms

Generally speaking, there are two best seasons in a year.

The first one is from November to March. Before planting, the water-filled rice terraces are like thousands of mirrors reflecting the blue sky, clouds, green hills and mountains. Also, of course sunrise and sunset are reflected beautifully, presenting a marvelous view.

The second one is the autumn harvest season from July to September. At this time, the bottom of the Ailao Mountains is golden yellow with rice. Rice terraces with different harvest times show different colors, either deep or light.

Compared with the autumn harvest season, pictures taken in the spring sowing season may be better because the lines between the water in the terraces and the ridges of the fields are clear and beautiful.

Besides the seasons, weather is also a crucial factor for taking pictures. The Yuanyang Terraces are located at the southern part of the Ailao Mountains, the valley of Red River and Tengtiao River. It is said that there are about 180 days with foggy conditions each year because of its wet climate. Anyway, with a subtropical climate, a visit to Yuanyang Rice Terraces anytime during the year is possible.

Yangtze Cruise Routes

Yangtze Cruise Calendar

144 hours VISA free tours

Less than 7 days tours

Similar Journeys You May Like