Rice has been the necessity for the people in Asia from centuries. Locals have kept their technique of growing this cereal as their secret and made each grain a precious element for them. Most of the rice fields unfold behind mountains and enjoy wonderful landscapes. There are some rice terraces that remain intact for years and impressed people with their obstinacy while some are recent. These are spread artistically along the sides of the mountains.
1. Sapa Rice Terraces, Vietnam
308 kilometers northwest of Hanoi, Sapa is one of the most popular tourist attractions of Vietnam and once you are being there, don’t miss its amazing rice terrace fields. Rice terraces have been cultivated in Sapa for hundreds of years by a number of ethnic minorities such as the H’mong, the Dao, the Tay, the Ha Nhi from generation to generation. From the distance, the beautiful terraces look like a ladder with thousand steps toward the sky. The large rice fields are not only supplied food for the local but also provide a breathtaking natural painting for travelers. In summer, the whole fields are filled with bright green color like a carpet of the giant, and while you are still being astonished, the carpet turns to a brilliant yellow in late autumn creating a best-ever picture you have never seen in your life.
2. Jatiluwih, Tabanan, West Bali
The Jatiluwih rice terraces flow down the southern slopes of the Batukaru mountain range in West Bali. Once a UNESCO Cultural Heritage site candidate and listed as one of the world’s important cultural landscapes, the rice fields cover over 600 hectares, which follow the cascading hillside of the highlands and are well-maintained by the local village’s subak cooperative. Jatiluwih is the largest and most picturesque of all of the rice terraces in Bali.
3. Yuanyang Terraces, Yunnan Province, China
The Yuanyang region is home to the Hami and Yi tribes, who created the monumental rice terraced mountains and have made the region famous. The originality of those communities converted this hilly region into an artistic beauty. Their villages are located between 1300 and 1600 meters above the sea level that makes its access little difficult but highly worth it.
4. Mu Cang Chai Rice Terraces, Vietnam
Situated in Yen Bai province of northern Vietnam, about 300 kilometers from Hanoi, Mu Cang Chai is located at the foot of Hoang Lien Son mountain ranges. To get to this place, travelers must conquer Khau Pha Pass, which is one of the most winding, dangerous and hair- rising passes of the country. But the award for your bravery is worthy: Mu Cang Chai features the most stunning rice terraces in Vietnam. Thanks to its pleasant climate, Mu Cang Chai is beautiful at any time of the year. But for best photos, there are two best times to visit: The first one is between April and June when the locals bring water to the fields to start a new rice season, the terraces then look like a big mirror reflecting sunbeam sparking on the water surface. The second time is between mid - September and mid – October, also that Mu Cang Chai is the most sparkling. At that time, the massive fields change from green to shining yellow color which allures every photography lover.
5. Tegallalang, Ubud
The craftsmen’s village of Tegallalang is one of the Ubud region’s 3 villages famous for their terraced landscapes, the others being Pejeng to its east and Campuhan to its west. The high roadside outlook at Tegallalang is cool and breezy. Being situated in a small valley which is crowded with palm trees, the scenery here is quite compact and busy.
