Shequegangfan Terraced Fields

Shequegangfan Terraced Fields

The Shequegangfan Terraced Fields are a cultural heritage site protected by Haishu District.

The Shequegangfan Terraced Fields are located in the mountain valley behind Dongjia House on Shequegang Ridge in Shiling Natural Village, Haishu District. Layered terraces descend from the mountaintop to behind Dongjia House in Aizhong Village and encircle the southern mountain valley, now forming this specific area behind Dongjia House in the valley. Originally owned by residents of Shiling, historical accounts of the family’s development suggest that these terraces were first cultivated during the Song Dynasty.

The terraces are generally situated on both sides of an ancient path in an east-west oriented mountain valley, arranged in ascending and descending layers. They are built with stacked rough stone ridges—some stones as large as a ton, others as small as a bowl rim—resulting in varying sizes. The stones were gathered from the surrounding hillsides. The construction mostly follows a circular arc-shaped layering, forming fields originally used for rice cultivation. Due to economic development and the shift toward specialized farming, these fields have been repurposed for various dry crops.

The discovery of the Shequegang Terraces reflects the perseverance and resourcefulness of the people of Shiling in overcoming hardship and building their homes through diligence. It stands as a testament to local ingenuity and holds significant historical and educational value. In September 2010, it was designated as part of the ninth batch of cultural heritage sites protected at the district level by Yinzhou District. Following the 2016 administrative division adjustment of Ningbo City, it was placed under the jurisdiction of Haishu District.