Jiaofeng Terraces

Jiaofeng Terraces

The Jiaofeng Terraces, located in Jiaofeng Village, Duozhu Town, Huidong County — a small village inhabited by the She ethnic minority — is a She community that "lives off the mountain." As a quaint, beautiful, and hospitable ethnic village, not only are the houses built in tiers along the mountain slope, but the farmland is also carved out following the contours of the mountain, stretching from the foot of the mountain to its midsection, and even nearly to the peak. Distributed layer upon layer along the steep slopes, they resemble steps built for giants ascending to the heavens. Cool, trickling streams flow down from the mountain along the valley below, serving as the irrigation source for the terraces.

Compared to other well-known terraces in China, such as the Longji Terraces in Guangxi, the Jiaofeng Terraces, covering just over 80 acres, are considered “pocket-sized.” Nevertheless, they form the foundation of livelihood for generations of the She people, embodying their wisdom and hard work in “blazing trails through brambles to open up the mountains.”

The area also features traditional She stone houses and winding paths paved with stones, offering a unique glimpse into a primitive way of life.

The small mountain village sits at the foot of Nanshan Mountain. One can imagine that without the village roads, it would be a complete hidden paradise. Upon entering the village, all you can hear are the sounds of nature — flowing water, birds, insects... and the lingering echoes of an agrarian past.

Duozhu Town: A town under the jurisdiction of Huidong County. In 1950, it was part of the Ninth District of Huiyang County; in 1951, it was designated as the Nineteenth District; in 1958, a commune was established; in 1984, it became Duozhu District; and in 1987, the district was abolished to form the town. Located in the eastern part of Huidong County, it covers an area of 408.96 square kilometers with a population of 47,000. It governs 21 management areas — Sansheng, Bawei, Tangtian, Xiapu, Dahe, Dadao, Xiasongkeng, Yangkou, Huangshi, Shouwang, Yonghe, Qinan, Lingmei, Sanjiao, Jing’an, Xinlian, Mingxi, Hengtang, Fengnian, Xiajian, and Shuikou — and one neighborhood committee. It is a commercial hub in the eastern part of the county. Adjacent to... More detailed information about Duozhu Town++