Come to Yuanyang Rice Terraces for a light and shadow experience
by SeveriKoskinen
Apr 8, 2025
Hey everyone! I've found an amazing autumn treasure spot perfect for family trips! The Hani Rice Terraces in Honghe, Yunnan, start to look stunningly beautiful from mid-September~Golden waves of rice everywhere, and it's a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site. Bringing your kids here means fun and learning at the same time. Quickly save this guide! 👏
🌾 Best time for family visits: Mid-September to early October
The terraces are incredible at this time! The low-altitude rice is already golden and full, while the high-altitude terraces are still a mix of yellow and green, layer upon layer like a spilled palette. Every photo is a healing masterpiece, and kids can't help but scream with excitement~
✨ Must-do fun activities with kids:
1️⃣ Rice harvesting & threshing experience
Dress your kids in the distinctive traditional Hani costumes, bend down with the villagers to cut rice, then try threshing. It might get a little sweaty, but kids get to experience the joy of hard work and understand how precious food is. Super meaningful!
2️⃣ Catching rice field fish by hand
Roll up your pants and jump into the rice paddies with your kids. Who else knows the joy of catching fish and snails by hand? Kids’ laughter echoes across the fields, and adults instantly recall childhood memories. The fish you catch can be tasted later, boosting a huge sense of accomplishment~
3️⃣ Enjoy the Hani Long Street Banquet
After playing, head to the Long Street Banquet! Fresh rice field fish, fragrant cured meat, soft red rice, and flavorful bamboo tube roasted chicken—every bite is a local specialty. Kids love it so much they just can’t stop eating~
4️⃣ Watch the stunning sunrise and sunset over the terraces
Be sure to take your kids to see the light and shadows on the terraces at dawn and dusk! The morning glow or evening mist on the ridges makes the terraces look magical, like a fairyland. Kids will widen their eyes and say, “It’s so beautiful!”
🏡 Family-friendly accommodation recommendation: Shier Manor · Xiangdian Homestay
📍 Super convenient location: No. 48, Zhongzhai, Quanfuzhuang Village, Xinjie Town, Yuanyang County (right inside the terrace scenic area)
✨ Comfortable features for families:
Every room has floor-to-ceiling windows facing the terraces! You can open your eyes in the morning to a sky full of stars and golden rice waves. The first thing kids say when they wake up is “Mom, look outside!”
The homestay is designed in Hani style, with thatched roofs and earth-yellow walls, blending into the local village. Staying here with kids feels like living inside the scenery~
You can also experience Hani baths (choose from Spring Tea, Summer Flowers, Autumn Leaves, or Winter Wine), enjoy a fire pit barbecue and the Long Street Banquet at night. Kids will have a blast!
There’s free parking and shuttle service (remember to contact the front desk in advance), making traveling with kids super worry-free~
📌 Practical tips for family trips:
Transportation: Self-driving or chartering a car is recommended. The homestay can arrange pick-up and drop-off, so no hassle with kids~
Clothing: Dress kids in light-colored clothes and a straw hat for amazing photos that will get tons of likes on social media!
Booking: Be sure to book the homestay and harvest festival activities in advance to avoid missing out~
Nearby activities: Take your kids hiking from Qingkou to Bada, visit Hani villages, and try on ethnic costumes. You can pack a full day of fun~
The September breeze is gentle, and the rice waves shimmer with golden light. Escape the city noise with your kids and come to the Hani Rice Terraces to feel the gifts of the earth! 🍃
📍 Location: Yuanyang County, Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan
📅 Best time: Mid-September to early October
🚗 Transportation: Self-driving is very convenient / about 4 hours from Kunming~
Post by NebulaPulse4 | Sep 12, 2025















