Paddy fields galore

This undated photo shows the rice terraces in Yuanyang County of Honghe Prefecture, southwest China's Yunnan Province. (Xinhua)

While the sandy beaches of Sanya have been traditionally popular among tourists, travelers looking for a bit of variety in domestic sight-seeing may want to consider leaving their beachwear behind for a trip to some of the country's most unique rice-terraced mountains in southwestern China.

Newly designated as a World Heritage Site in June, Yunnan Province's Honghe Hani Rice Terraces, offers visitors a very distinct landscape of rice paddy fields, etched into the warm hillside with an ever stunning mountainous range in the backdrop.

Of the rice paddy fields in the region, Yuanyang Rice Terraces, with an area of 170,000 mu (28,005 acres), is the most well-known in Honghe Prefecture's Yuanyang County.

Travelers have marveled at the splendid terraced fields on the ridges of mountains under blue skies. Be sure to stop by around midday, when the sunlight hits just so, artistically reflecting each and every fluffy white cloud above onto the watery surface of the rice paddy fields.

Though it seems odd for the paddy fields to always be filled with water since there are no large rivers or reservoirs nearby, as visitors will soon learn, the forested areas on the rolling hilltops conserve enough water for living and farming.

Hani people living there for generations developed an advanced water system, which secures the water needed for the paddy fields they crafted thousands of years ago and rely on as part of their livelihood today.

Locals have a saying to relay pity to those travelers who have not had the good fortune of visiting their homelands: "If you are a senior backpacker and have never been to Yuanyang, then Yuanyang will feel sad for you; and if you are a photography enthusiast and have never been to Yuanyang, then God will feel sad for you."

While the area has the advantage of being seasonally comfortable for visitors pretty much all year round, the best months to visit are from November to April, when the paddy fields are absent of rice, with just water left behind, allowing for more spectacular views to reflect from them.

The best spot for picturing sun rising is Duoyishu Scenic Spot, where villages on the hills are decorated with wild cherry blossoms and wild peach blossoms. Go in the morning before the crowds arrive to ensure a moment of serenity while taking in the breathtaking views. The nearby Laohuzui Spot, or "Mouth of the Tiger" is a must see when the sun sets. Under the setting sun and the crimson glow, the numerous terraced fields form a sea-like image with gleaming ripples. Various layers, beautiful curves and streaks of color make for another great scene to capture on camera.