In early spring in southeastern Yunnan, colors overflow between heaven and earth (Part 7): The terraced fields of Duoyishu

The Yuanyang terraced fields are grand in scale and majestic, stretching across the southern banks of the Red River in counties such as Honghe, Yuanyang, Lvchun, and Jinping. Within Yuanyang County alone, there are 170,000 mu of terraced fields. Among these, the Duoyishu scenic area, Bada scenic area, Qingkou Hani town, and Tiger Mouth (which has been damaged by mudslide disasters) are considered the most scenic spots. The Duoyishu scenic area is a stronghold for photographers who love to capture the sunrise over the terraces. Surrounded by mountains on three sides and dropping into a valley on the other, the sunrise here is spectacular, as the sunlight spills onto the terraced fields like cascading blocks of oil paint. To see the sunrise, one must get up very early, before dawn. As we drive along the winding roads towards the destination, when the sky shows the first light of dawn, the Duoyishu scenic area is already bustling with people. Vehicles line the roads, and people are everywhere—on the foothills, on the roads, on the mountain slopes. Most of them are photographers, or at least photography enthusiasts. It turns out that these people arrived before dawn to capture the sunrise, their concentration is so intense. Passing by them inadvertently, one always hears the 'click, click' of camera shutters... 'Here it comes, everyone get ready.' Someone in the crowd shouts, and everyone springs into action, freezing in an instant, followed by the incessant sound of camera shutters, creating a moving symphony. People capture the changing scenery with their cameras, preserving it in their palms as a permanent treasure. In the hearts of many, the Duoyishu terraced fields are the most magnificent in Yuanyang. Perhaps it is because the best time to view the Duoyishu terraced fields is in the early morning, or for some other reason, but I always feel that the Duoyishu terraced fields are the youngest, most vibrant, and most energetic. When the dawn light filters through the top of Dongguanyin Mountain, the entire terraced field becomes orderly in light and shadow, with a harmonious arrangement. Some parts resemble galloping horses, others gentle sheep, and some like resting old bulls... all varied and innumerable in form. With the mist rising with the wind, accompanied by the hazy fog, it is like a sleeping fairy, so handsome, elegant, and dignified, adding a touch of mystery and wonder. As time passes, the dawn light shines on the glittering terraced fields, turning them golden, a dazzling and enchanting sight from any angle, a delightful experience of beauty. This is a clever combination of human work and nature, as well as a great spiritual legacy left by the Hani ancestors to their descendants and to the world. With the air convection in the valley, the mist begins to rise, and under the glow of the morning sun, the clouds in the sea of clouds are dyed with brilliant colors, like brocade, like rouge, resembling a sea yet not a sea, and not a sea yet resembling one, a sight too beautiful for words. Sometimes the wind stirs up the clouds, unpredictable and ever-changing, sometimes like raging waves, powerful and distinctive. The distant peaks appear like giant turtles wandering, sometimes hidden, sometimes visible, like bathing young girls, naturally beautiful and graceful. The floating mist gathers and disperses, fleeting in a moment, like the vast waves of the ocean, truly a picture of a fairyland palace. When the mist clears, the valley is open, with villages laid out among them, and the combination of green mountains—sunrise—sea of clouds—terraced fields—mushroom houses forms a magical and wonderful painting. The terraced fields of Duoyishu