For thousands of years, the local people, the Hani people, have been cultivating the land, claiming arable land from nature. Yet the unintended result, the beauty of the terraced fields, has brought the region, Yuanyang, high acclaims, especially among travelers and photographers. Note that all the villages are seated close to the woods, which guarantee a water supply to the fields. Each year, before the rice was planted, the local people will touch up the terraces. Despite all the idyllic feelings, it’s real hard to work in the fields.

Wow, it’s cold. Very slippery down there. Now I am going to learn how to plant rice in the terraced fields. One thing important is that you need to bend your back low. And move backwards when you plant.

The little village reminds me of the Han village of Tuanshan in Jianshui. They are similar in their pastoral sense, and walls made of adobe and stones, standing in similar quietness. Except here in Yuanyang, some 1600 meters above sea level, there is a strong wind in the air.

But the grass thatched mushroom style roof is unique in the region. The grass prevents the heat and makes sure the indoor air remain cool. A typical local house would be a three-story structure, the first floor for cattle, second for humans and third for storage. In the countryside, people are resourceful. Nothing is waste here.

Let’s learn how to dry the dung. This is what the local people use as burning fuel to burn for cooking and heating. And wow, wow, this is real dung on my hand!!. Ok, a second one. Now I am going to get my hands really dirty.

Now, she dresses me up like this. I don’t know what is it. Looks like a kind of armor to me.

Host: So what is this?

Local: This is the wedding dress.

Host: How is it made? Who made it?

Local: If I am going to get married, I will start to make it myself years before the wedding.

Host: So you are going to get married?

Local: No. not me.

Host: So what is this?

Local: This is the sun, this is a bird, this is owl, and leaves and flowers.

Host: What is this then? Looks strange, like kind of gadgets.

Local: On this is a little comb for you to comb your hair, this is for you to clean the ears, and this is, what is this?

Host: This is for you to sew clothes. For the needles.

Leaving the picturesque Yuanyang terraced fields we head further south down along the Honghe River. Along the riverbank grows small banana trees, which bear flowers, resembling lotus flowers hanging upside down.

Gee, it’s really hot. That’s why I have this leaf for a hat, fan, whatever. As we go further south, it will get hotter and hotter and we will see a lot more tropical fruits. The adventure continues. This is Travelogue, am Liu Changying, bye bye.

Editor:Chen