FX.co ★ Top 5 most beautiful and unusual rice fields in world

Sapa (Vietnam)

Sapa is a picturesque area that neighbors China. This protected land of blue mountains and crystal waterfalls in the northwest of Vietnam is especially popular with tourists. The unique cultural heritage and impressive scenery of Sapa will not leave anyone indifferent. Amazing rice fields spread in the high mountain valley are an inseparable part of the local scenery. The rice terraces of Sapa are easily filled with moisture during the rainy season and are constantly fed by groundwater. With the mountain tops securely protected by forests, rice terraces get the needed humidity. Sapa has recently become a popular tourist attraction. In early autumn, the rice terraces are mottled with rich hues of honey, emerald, and orange. The wonderful scenery of these places attracts a huge number of travelers.

Chiang Mai (Thailand)

Chiang Mai is the largest city in the province of the same name, located in the north of Thailand. It attracts a lot of tourists. The unique ancient culture of ethnic mountain people is especially popular among visitors. Another important attraction of Chiang Mai are the numerous rice terraces, because of which these places are called the "Kingdom of a Million Rice Fields". In this area, rice is grown on steep mountain slopes. Both day and night tours around the rice terraces are available in Chiang Mai. According to experts, this northern province is deservedly considered not only a cultural but also a rice center. During the planting season, the endless water-filled rice paddies reflect the azure sky with fluffy clouds like large mirrors. Once the first sprouts appear, the rice terraces take on fantastic colors. Green slopes create expressive landscapes by gently descending to the foot of the mountains.

Jiabang Rice Terraces in Guizhou (China)

Impressive rice terraces could also be found in China's Guizhou Province, 80 kilometers from the city of Congjiang. Experts consider them to be one of the most picturesque in the world. The terraces extend for almost 40 square kilometers. Notably, other rice terraces are harvested only once a year, while the Jiabang rice terrace is harvested twice a year. During the rice growth period, the hues of its paddies change from green to yellow. In spring, the yellow rapeseed flowers set the tone for the local landscape, and in autumn, they turn gold in the sun. Apart from Jiabang, China's Yunnan Province, Yuanyang County also has impressive rice terraces. These are the heritage of the Hani people who lived in the Ailao Mountains more than 2,500 years ago. The ancient people cultivated rice on the mountain slopes, and this painstaking labor was honored by the emperor of the Ming Dynasty. He called the Hani people "skillful sculptors". Nowadays, the rice fields of Yuanyang are considered a landmark of China and are protected by UNESCO.

Hamanoura, Saga Prefecture (Japan)

The cultivation and consumption of rice hold a special place in Japanese culture. For thousands of years, rice paddies, called Senmaida by the Japanese, have been cultivated on the slopes of mountains. There are many amazing rice terraces in the country. However, Hamanoura is one of the most beautiful and mesmerizing places. On the coast of Saga Prefecture, Hamanoura is home to 283 rice paddies totaling over 11 hectares. From mid-April, the rice terraces overlooking the Genkai Sea fill with water, and by early May, they are fully planted with the popular grain crop. When the setting sun is reflected in the ocean waters, the rice paddies take on a fantastic orange hue. There are also unique rice terraces in the Japanese village of Inakadate, located 960 kilometers from Tokyo. Several landscape designers decided to turn the extensive rice plantations into living paintings. They used different varieties of this grain crop. As a result, huge fields of 15 thousand square meters were covered with images of heroes of ancient legends and fairy tales, from samurai to cartoon characters.

Jatiluwih (Indonesia)

In Indonesia, on the slopes of Mount Batukaru, there are impressive rice fields of Jatiluwih. Planting and harvesting are especially noteworthy when the surrounding scenery takes on colorful hues. Powerful water buffaloes are used to cultivate the farmlands here. In addition, these places are famous for their unique traditions. Visiting the Jatiluwih rice terraces has become an essential part of travel itineraries. A few years ago, these fields became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In addition, there are other impressive rice terraces in Indonesia that cannot be missed. They are located in West Sumatra, near a large crater lake, Maninjau. It appeared in the crater of an ancient volcano, which erupted more than 50 thousand years ago. Traveling around Lake Maninjau allows you to enjoy unique views, swimming, and fishing. In addition, travelers can see the spectacular rice terraces that surround the lake.