Youxi Rice Terraces

Youxi Rice Terraces

Fujian Youxi Rice Terraces

Every spring, the thousand-acre terraced fields in Lianhe Township of Youxi County, Fujian—known as the "Fields in the Clouds"—are a paradise for photography enthusiasts. The layered high-mountain terraces stretch for miles, breathtaking in their beauty. At sunset, the backlit terraces present a uniquely stunning scene, echoing Zhu Xi’s poetic line: “Half an acre of square pond opens like a mirror, reflecting the sky and clouds.” This area, home to the most beautiful terraces in southeastern China, has long been immortalized in photographers’ stunning images, capturing the hearts of many. Youxi’s terraces are a natural marvel—when you look out, you’ll see thousands of terraced plots of all sizes, the largest no bigger than one acre, with most just wide enough for one or two rows of crops. They stretch continuously through the lofty mountains and extend along every slope and crevice. In spring planting season, farmers are hard at work in the terraces, and the water-filled fields shimmer brilliantly, making them perfect for photography.