Laoyingzui Rice Terraces in Yuanyang County, Honghe

Laoyingzui Rice Terraces (老鹰嘴梯田) offer a dramatic and stunning landscape that attracts photography enthusiasts with its breathtaking views. Compared to the more renowned Tiger Mouth Rice Terraces (老虎嘴梯田), Laoyingzui features greater elevation changes, creating a unique visual impact. This area remains largely untouched by commercial development, resulting in fewer visitors and a diverse range of terraced landscapes.

Visitors can enjoy the beauty of the terraces while sitting on the cliffs, basking in the sunlight, or climbing higher to take in sweeping views. The terraces showcase graceful curves and colorful displays—especially vibrant at sunset, when the light reveals hues of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet, like a rainbow cascading across the mountains.

Scenic Beauty

The Laoyingzui Rice Terraces (老鹰嘴梯田) are located near Mali Zhai (麻栗寨) in Yuanyang County (元阳县). Their charm lies in vivid color contrasts. From a distance, they resemble ribbons of color flowing across the mountainsides, with striking red terraces standing out most prominently.

Unlike other scenic spots such as Tiger Mouth (老虎嘴) and Duoyishu (多依树), which feature established viewing platforms, Laoyingzui requires visitors to carefully select their viewing spots along the cliffs. From the top, one can gaze down at reflective waters that mirror the sky, framed by layered terraces creating a dreamlike scene. Changing light patterns throughout the day further enhance the beauty, making this a paradise for nature lovers.

Best Season to Visit

Yuanyang (元阳县) has a subtropical monsoon climate with mild seasonal variations. Summers are rainy and cool, while winters are warm, making Laoyingzui suitable to visit year-round.

The best time for photography is at sunset, when the terraces resemble translucent glass illuminated by golden light. Each season offers a unique view—lush greens in spring, golden tones in autumn, and vibrant colors in summer—though spring and autumn are particularly recommended.

How to Get There

• By Long-distance Bus: From the South Bus Station (南部客运站) in Kunming (昆明), direct buses run to Yuanyang (元阳县) daily at 10:20, 12:30, and 19:00. The journey takes about 5–6 hours and costs around 139 CNY per person.
• From Yuanyang to Laoyingzui: After arriving in Yuanyang, take a minibus or taxi to Mali Zhai (麻栗寨), where the Laoyingzui Rice Terraces are located.

Local Transportation

• Minibuses: Frequently run between Yuanyang bus station and Mali Zhai, with fares around 10 CNY per person.
• Taxis: Available for direct trips to the terraces. Negotiate the fare in advance.

Travel Tips

• Photography Gear: Bring a quality camera to capture the stunning terrace landscapes, especially during sunrise and sunset.
• Local Cuisine: Sample local specialties such as grilled fish, fried rice, and stewed chicken. Visitors can also purchase handmade local crafts as souvenirs.
• Accommodation: Stay at hotels or guesthouses near Laoyingzui for convenient access and a peaceful atmosphere.
• Estimated Visit Duration: Around 1 hour.