Hani minority on the rice terraced in Xinjiezhen, Yuan Yang, YunNan, China

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The Yuanyang Rice Terraces (Yuanyang Titian) are a landscaping masterpiece, not only in terms of aesthetic appeal, but in terms of millennial functionality. Perfected over the course of a 1,300 year history, the terraces produce as much as 300 kilograms of rice per Mu (approximately one sixth of an acre). This surprising productivity is achieved by means of an ingenious irrigation system which apportions just the right amount of water to each terrace, and is the result of ancient engineering genius for which Hani farmers are renowned.

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Size: 3744px × 5616px
Location: Xinjiezhen, Yuan Yang, YunNan, China
Photo credit: © Hakbong Kwon / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: cloth, decoration, fields, hani, hat, minority, rice, terraced, titian, traditional, xinjiezhen