Bao Yuan Terraces

Bao Yuan Terraces

The Bao Yuan Terraces were first cultivated during the Eastern Han Dynasty, boasting a history of over 1,900 years. Located within the Chishui National Scenic Area, the terraces are approximately 30 kilometers from Chishui city center. While terraced fields can be found throughout Guizhou, it is rare to come across such a high-quality and grand-scale spectacle. The Bao Yuan Terraces are just such a high-quality terraced landscape. The entire terrace complex stretches 4 to 5 kilometers in length and 0.8 to 1 kilometer in height (or width), with each individual terrace averaging 3 to 4 cents (a traditional Chinese unit of area) in size, covering a total area of about 1,500 mu. Gazing into the distance, the endless layers of terraces are beautifully stacked. The Bao Yuan Terraces were first developed in the Eastern Han Dynasty and took shape in the late Ming Dynasty, with a history of over 1,900 years. For thousands of years, the terraces have retained their primitive appearance, enriched with deep historical and cultural significance.

The area boasts beautiful mountains and clear waters, often shrouded in mist and sea of clouds, and is home to hundreds of egrets that live harmoniously with the local villagers in a leisurely manner. At the end of March each year (by the solar calendar), the water-filled terraces under the sunlight present a spectacular sight, making them an excellent subject for photography. By the fifth month of the lunar calendar, the emerald green rice paddies resemble beautiful jade, marking the best time to admire the terraces. The terraces are surrounded by vast bamboo forests, complementing each other and offering a vibrant sense of nature’s vitality. Every breath feels like an intimate connection with nature. By the seventh month of the lunar calendar, when the rice ripens, golden ears cover the terraces and the fragrance of rice fills the air as farmers begin the harvest. This is a great time to visit and witness the bounty of the Bao Yuan Terraces.

· Compared to other terraces in China, this site is larger in scale, often features sea of clouds, and is even more spectacular, with hundreds of egrets living here.

· The best time to visit is at the end of March each year, when the sunlit water-filled terraces are particularly magnificent. Additionally, the emerald green rice paddies around the fifth month of the lunar calendar, resembling fine jade, are also well worth seeing.

Time Needed

3 hours

Transportation

Take a local bus on the “Chishui–Bao Yuan” line from Chishui Bus Station

Admission Fee

Free

Location

Bao Yuan Township, Chishui City, Zunyi, Guizhou Province (about 40+ kilometers east of the city center)