The Golden Ocean of the Hani: Witnessing the Earth's Most Magnificent Curves at Sunset in Laohuzui

The Earth's Sculpture

1.Located near Mengpin: Village, Yuanyang County, in the Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture, Laohuzui (Tiger Mouth) Rice Terraces represents the core area of the Honghe Hani Rice Terraces, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site. Situated at an altitude ranging from 1,400 to 1,800 meters, this specific section of the terraces is renowned for being the steepest, most magnificent, and most three-dimensional among all the Yuanyang terrace groups. The name "Tiger Mouth" is derived from the rugged mountain terrain which, when viewed from above, resembles a ferocious tiger with its mouth wide open. Unlike the gentle slopes found in other regions, the terraces here are carved into precipitous cliffs, creating a landscape that is often described as a "sculpture of the earth" or a "land art masterpiece" created by the Hani people over 1,300 years.

A Symphony of Light and Shadow

Laohuzui is universally acclaimed as the unrivaled location for watching the sunset in Yuanyang. While Duoyishu is famous for its sunrise and sea of clouds, Laohuzui shines brightest in the late afternoon. As the sun descends to the west, the light hits the water-filled paddies at a low angle, transforming the thousands of terrace layers into mirrors. The water surface reflects the changing colors of the sky, shifting from brilliant white to deep gold, and finally to a rosy pink or intense violet. The complex ridge lines of the paddies, illuminated by the backlight, create a visual phenomenon often described as "thousands of horses galloping" or "thousands of snakes writhing," offering a dynamic and overwhelming visual impact that attracts photographers from around the world.

The Hani Agricultural Wisdom

Beneath the breathtaking scenery lies a sophisticated ecological system known as the "Four Elements": Forest, Village, Terrace, and Water. The Hani people have ingeniously utilized the high-altitude forests to conserve water, which then flows down through the villages to irrigate the layers of terraces below, finally gathering in the valley rivers to evaporate and form clouds, completing the cycle. This "sky-high agriculture" is a testament to the harmony between humanity and nature. Visitors to Laohuzui can look down upon the Mengpin and Amengkong villages nestled amidst the terraces, where traditional "Mushroom Houses" (earthen houses with thatched roofs) still stand, and where festivals like the "Angmatu" (Village God Festival) and the famous "Long Table Banquet" celebrate the harvest and community bond.

A Three-Dimensional Masterpiece

2.The topography of: Laohuzui is characterized by its intense verticality. Standing at the viewing platform, one can see the terraces cascading down from the mountain top to the valley floor, creating a profound sense of depth and scale. The sheer number of layers and the steep gradient make the terraces appear as if they are stacking up to the sky. Whether it is the planting season when the fields are lush green, the harvest season when they turn golden yellow, or the irrigation season (winter and spring) when they become pools of light, Laohuzui offers a powerful and primitive beauty that distinguishes it from the more pastoral feel of other terrace sections like Bada.