Live Your Best Lives
The Samaba Rice Terraces are located in Honghe County, Honghe Prefecture, Yunnan Province. It is the world's largest contiguous rice terraces certified by the Guinness Book of World Records. The more than 16,000 mu of terraces climb from 600 meters above sea level to 1,880 meters like a ladder to heaven. More than 4,300 ridges are connected end to end, forming an ecological wonder with the four elements of forest - village - terraces - water system.
This piece of land art, carved by generations of Hani people, still retains its original farming methods: wooden plows, buffaloes trampling the fields, bamboo pipes to guide water, and even experience the ancient ritual of the opening of the rice seedling gate, where the sound of a gong determines the outcome.
Suitable time for playing:
November-April: Mirror Feast during the Flood Season
The flooded terraces reflect the sky like millions of silver mirrors. January and February are the best time to witness the spectacular sea of clouds sweeping over the 4,300 terraced ridges. Arrive at the Nimei Terraces Observation Deck before 6 a.m. to capture the Tyndall effect of the sun's rays piercing through the mist. This is also the time for the Honghe County Rice Field Festival, where you can enjoy a street banquet, music and dancing, and personally plant rice seedlings, a symbol of a bountiful harvest.
May-September: The Wizard of Oz
The terraced fields are blanketed in emerald green. Around June, when the rice is tillering, wildflowers blanket the ridges. During the Yangana Girl Festival in Jiayin Town, Yiche women, dressed in indigo attire, play the sanxian (three-stringed instrument) and sing love songs beside the terraced fields, creating a living folk painting. A recommended hike is the forest stream path from Suhong Ancient Village to Samaba. Along the way, you'll see century-old tamarind trees and honeycomb-like karst rock faces, and occasionally encounter villagers carrying bamboo baskets to pick mushrooms.
October-November: Golden Autumn Harvest
When the rice is ripe, the terraces transform into golden waves. On market days in Baohua Town, you can buy freshly threshed red rice and freshly baked purple rice cakes. In the evening, watch the sunset from the green, tree-lined terraces. The palm-fringed terraces match the sunset glow, and an ND filter can be used to capture the silky effect of flowing clouds.
Recommended places to visit:
1. Panoramic visual feast
1. Lukhuibadi Viewing Platform: The only viewing platform in the world that can take in the vast expanse of terraced fields. The wide-angle lens can simultaneously frame the mountains, water, fields, forests, and villages.
2. Nimei Rice Terraces: Together with Guidong Rice Terraces, they are known as the Twin Beauties of the Sea of Clouds, but Nimei is easier to photograph - when the sea of clouds surges up from the bottom of the valley, the terraces look like golden islands suspended in the air.
2. Wandering in the Secret Village
1. Suhong Ancient Village: Walk along the wooden plank road into the moss-covered adobe houses and experience the Hani people's rattan weaving skills.
2. Longma Village: Half of the village is surrounded by terraced fields, and the other half is hidden among green trees.
3. Ecological Humanities
1. Twelve Dragon Springs: Twelve stone dragon heads gush out sweet springs. Locals believe that each dragon head represents a different blessing, and drinking the water from a bamboo tube will bring good fortune.
2. Mabang Ancient City: Explore the century-old castle-like buildings and watch the immersive courtyard drama "Mabang Women" in the Qian Erguan Courtyard, which recreates the legendary story of the Yisa Mabang in the 20th century.
Samaba Terraces are traditional rice terraces built by the Yi ethnic group over centuries. They reflect ancient agricultural practices and are an important part of the region’s cultural and ecological heritage.
Located in Red River Prefecture, Yunnan. Visitors can reach Samaba Terraces by car or taxi from nearby towns. Public transport is limited, so private vehicles or guided tours are recommended.
Open daily, generally from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM. The best time to visit is during planting season (May–June) or harvest season (September–October) for the most scenic views.
Entrance fees are modest, typically paid onsite. Some areas may charge a small fee for guided visits. Online booking is not commonly required.
Advance booking is generally unnecessary. For guided tours or organized photography trips, book a few days ahead if possible.
2–4 hours are usually sufficient to explore the terraces and nearby villages, depending on how much hiking you do.
Local guides may be available in Chinese; English guides are rare and usually need advance arrangement.
Terrace edges facing the sunrise or sunset, elevated viewpoints over the main terraces, and village rooftops provide excellent photo opportunities.
Start at the main entrance, follow the main terrace trails, visit the nearby Yi villages, then return via secondary paths for scenic diversity.
Night visits are not typical. Special tours may be organized during festivals or harvest season for cultural experiences.
Weekdays and off-peak seasons are less crowded. Festivals and weekends attract more visitors.
Basic facilities including restrooms, small eateries, and local craft shops are available. Rest areas are limited along the terraces.
Steep paths and uneven terrain make accessibility challenging for elderly or disabled visitors. Children should be supervised during hikes.
Cash is preferred for small purchases; mobile payments like WeChat Pay and Alipay are increasingly accepted in larger shops.
Local eateries serve traditional Yi cuisine, rice dishes, and simple snacks. Limited cafes are available nearby for tea and refreshments.
Vegetarian options are limited but available; halal options are rare.
Guesthouses and small inns are available in nearby villages. Larger hotels are located in Red River towns or county centers.
Souvenirs include Yi handicrafts, woven textiles, traditional jewelry, and small artworks.
Private car, taxi, or local buses can connect visitors to other terraces, villages, or nearby county centers for further exploration.
