Yunhe Terraces

Yunhe Terraces

Yunhe Terraces is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction, a national water conservancy scenic area, and a national wetland park.

Yunhe Terraces is among the first batch of 4A-level tourist attractions in Yunhe County, integrating tourism and leisure, photography, sightseeing, and folk culture appreciation. The scenic area is located in Chongtou Town, about 5 kilometers from the county seat. It was first developed in the early Tang Dynasty, flourished during the Yuan and Ming Dynasties, and has a history of over 1,000 years. Covering a total area of 51 square kilometers, it is primarily spread across the high mountains surrounding Chongtou Town in Yunhe County, with an altitude range of 200 meters to over 1,400 meters and a vertical height difference of over 1,200 meters. It spans three geological landscape zones: high mountains, hills, and valleys, featuring up to 700 terraced layers. It is the largest terraced field complex in East China and is hailed as “the most beautiful terraces in China.” It serves as a major photography base for Lishui, known as the home of photography in China. The scenic area boasts natural landscapes such as terraces, sea of clouds, mountain villages, bamboo forests, streams, waterfalls, and rime ice. The “spectacular sea of clouds and floating cloud world” is one of its most distinctive highlights.

Yunhe Terraces is characterized by its large scale, stunning visual impact, and unique seasonal landscapes. As the largest terraced field complex in East China, it is known as “the most beautiful terraces in China.” The scenic area features natural landscapes including terraces, sea of clouds, mountain villages, bamboo forests, streams, waterfalls, and rime ice. It is a major photography base for Lishui, known as the home of photography in China, and is also one of the first national 4A-level scenic areas established in Yunhe County.

The Yunhe Terraces scenic area has a subtropical monsoon climate, with mild temperatures, abundant moisture, and distinct seasons. Due to the complex terrain and significant elevation differences, the climate varies noticeably with altitude. According to 20 years of meteorological data, the annual average temperature is 16.5°C, with an extreme minimum temperature of -7°C. The frost-free period averages 227 days. The area receives abundant rainfall, with an annual precipitation of 1,780–1,900 mm, mostly concentrated from May to October. During this period, typhoons can cause heavy rain and flash floods, along with other abnormal weather events such as strong winds and hail. The area enjoys ample sunlight, with an average annual sunshine duration of 1,774.4 hours, and experiences significant diurnal temperature variations.

The scenic area features murmuring streams, a well-developed water system, abundant water resources, and sweet-tasting water. Streams flow down from the mountains into the Chongtou Stream. Due to the high altitude of Yunhe Terraces, water from the fields and river valleys evaporates, forms sea of clouds under the influence of air currents, and is then absorbed by the forest vegetation, turning into misty drizzle that lingers in the high mountain jungles. Clouds and mists often shroud the mountaintops and fields, creating layers of reality and illusion. The “spectacular sea of clouds and floating cloud world” is one of the most distinctive highlights of Yunhe Terraces.

Address: Chongtou Town, Yunhe County, Lishui City

Type: Geological Landform

Rating: AAAA

Recommended visiting time: 0.5–1 day

Phone: 0578-5156688

Official website: http://www.yhtt.com.cn/

Opening hours:

8:00-16:30