Asia, as a whole, offers an endless list of iconic sights and experiences anyone wishing to visit will likely want to tick off their bucket list. From incredible temples to a vast and varied array of landscapes, including the rice terraces that span the continent. As you’ll see from this list, no two rice terraces are created equal. From Bali to Nepal, they vary in their agricultural architecture, size and color.
1. Honghe Hani Rice Terraces
Yunnan Province, China
Photo by Ronald Tagra, CC BY 2.0
The terraced slopes of the Ailao Mountains in China’s southern Yunnan Province contain what are arguably the most famous rice terraces in the world. Their colorful pools of water have been the subject of countless travel photographs, from the pages of National Geographic to travel-inspired boards on Pinterest. The UNESCO World Heritage Honghe Hani Rice Terraces have been around for more then 1,300 years and cover nearly 65 square miles. Plan to visit between April and October when the fields will gradually turn from green to yellow.
2. Banaue Rice Terraces
Ifugao, Philippines
Photo by Momo, CC BY 2.0
These rice terraces are not only featured on the country’s 20 peso banknote, they’re designated a National Cultural Treasure of the Philippines. Located some 5,000 feet above sea level, the Banaue Rice Terraces were hand carved into the mountains of northern Luzon more than 2,000 years ago, but are still utilized by locals today. Try to visit between June and July, just before the harvest.
3. Hamanoura Tanada
Saga Prefecture, Japan
Photo by kanegen, CC BY 2.0
The rice terraces at Hamanoura are among Japan’s most famous. Located along the coast of Saga Prefecture, they appear to cascade like a river into Genkai Sea. The best time to visit is just before sunset when the pools of water and the sea often ignite in a fiery show of reflected color.
4. Longsheng RiceTerraces
Longsheng County, Chi?na
