Last January, I spent some time in southern Yunnan Province, including some time in the rice terraces of Yuanyang County. One of the picturesque regions of China that fills many stereotypes of the country, the rice terraces have long provided a living from the many ethnic minorities in mountains of the region.
Rice terraces stretch to the horizon in the hills outside of Pangzhihua Village, Yuanyang County, Yunnan Province, China.
A sign warns passers-by about fines and fees for disturbing the rice terraces in the hills outside of Pangzhihua Village, Yuanyang County, Yunnan Province, China.
Rice terraces stretch to the horizon in the hills outside of Pangzhihua Village, Yuanyang County, Yunnan Province, China.
Large oxen make their way through a small canal cut through rice terraces on a hillside outside Pangzhihua Village, Yuanyang County, Yunnan Province, China.
Ethnic minority Hani farmer women hike along the rice terraces in mountainous rural Yuanyang County, Yunnan Province, China, outside of Pangzhihua Village.
Rice terraces stretch to the horizon in the hills outside of Pangzhihua Village, Yuanyang County, Yunnan Province, China.
Large oxen make their way through a small canal cut through rice terraces on a hillside outside Pangzhihua Village, Yuanyang County, Yunnan Province, China.
For obvious reasons, the area has been an attraction to tourists, but its remoteness has kept it relatively protected. Now investors and developers see an opportunity, especially as Yunnan province develops its transportation infrastructure.
