China's rice terraces are renowned as some of the most beautiful in the world. Nestled on hillsides within mountains inhabited by ethnic minorities, the terraced rice fields we present to you seem almost unreal—the landscapes are simply breathtaking! Discover our top 3 most beautiful rice terraces in China.

1. The Longsheng Rice Terraces

Crafted by the Zhuang people over 600 years ago, the Longsheng rice terraces (also known as Longji rice terraces) are located in Guangxi Province between Sanjiang and Guilin. Given the region's mountainous terrain, these terraced rice fields spread across hills reaching altitudes of up to 1,000 meters with remarkably steep slopes (sometimes reaching 50°). They are aptly nicknamed the Dragon's Backbone rice terraces. Complete with waterfalls, forests, and charming nearby villages, the Longsheng rice terraces are considered the most beautiful in China.

Beyond the landscapes, visiting the Longsheng terraces is also an opportunity to meet the ethnic minorities of the region whose ancestral customs continue to be passed down through generations. Here you can encounter the Miao, the Dong, the Zhuang, and the Yao, whose vibrant traditional costumes never go unnoticed.

Explore these magnificent rice terraces on our At the Edges of China itinerary.

2. The Yuanyang Rice Terraces

Located in southern Yunnan, the Yuanyang rice terraces span 16,603 hectares across the steep slopes of Mount Ailao down to the south bank of the Red River. What makes them special? Crafted over 1,000 years ago, they stand as a testament to Hani ingenuity. Through challenging mountain terrain, this China's ethnic minority engineered a complex system of irrigation channels to easily supply water to their crops—an engineering marvel that later inspired numerous regions across China and Asia. Beyond the terraces themselves, don't miss the distinctive mushroom-shaped homes of this remarkable people!

The Yuanyang terraced rice fields are divided into several sites. For landscape beauty, we particularly recommend Duoyishu and Laohuzui. For sunset views, head to Longshuba and Bada, and to have your head in the clouds at dusk, visit Duoyishu or the area near the town of Xinjie.

3. The Yunhe Rice Terraces

Once again, we encounter a natural site that rivals the title of China's most beautiful rice terrace! Located in Zhejiang Province, the Yunhe terraced rice fields have sustained local populations since their creation 800 years ago during the Yuan Dynasty. Yunhe translates from Chinese as 'clouds of peace'. The site spans 51 km² of mountains, valleys, and hills with a maximum altitude of 1,400 meters. Here, you'll particularly encounter villages of the She ethnic group.

Worth knowing: for most of these terraces, there is no ideal time to visit and appreciate their beauty. Each season offers its own attractions. That said, the Yunhe rice terraces are among the rare ones where you can spot snow-covered terraces in winter! A chance to see these crops from a completely different angle…

Sidebar:

While these three rice terraces are, for most people, considered the most beautiful in China, others equally deserve to be seen—especially when they're located in remote and less touristy areas. Here are a few more to add to your China bucket list: the Jiabang, Ziquejie, Gaoyao, Gaokan, Sanjiang, Longxi, Shangbao, and Jiangling rice terraces…