Zhejiang Yunhe Terraces: The Earth's Fingerprint

As the first rays of the sun penetrate the mist and illuminate the layered terraces, I seem to witness the awakening of the earth. Here, in Chongtou Town of Yunhe County, Zhejiang Province, lies a poetic, ancient, and vibrant land—the Yunhe Terraces. The terraces in the early morning are like a shy girl, draped in a thin veil, standing there quietly. As the sun rises higher, the terraces shed their veil, revealing their true face. The history of these terraces can be traced back to the Tang Dynasty, flourishing through the Ming and Qing Dynasties, with a history of over 1000 years. They are a testament to agricultural civilization and a crystallization of ancient wisdom. In one of the core scenic areas of the Yunhe Terraces, Yinkeng Ancient Village, I experienced the original and simple rural charm. The houses and roads here are mostly built of stone, hence the name 'Kenggen Stone Fortress'. Qixing Dun Viewing Platform is the soul of the Yunhe Terraces. Standing here, you can overlook the entire Silver Valley and the terraces, feeling the heroic sentiment of 'being at the top and looking down on all the small mountains'. This place was also where the ancients observed the stars and prayed to the heavens, and now it has become a treasure trove for stargazing in the East China region. Every year during the Grain in Ear season, the villagers hold a grand 'Welcoming the Gods' event for eighteen villages. Villagers dressed in traditional attire sing and dance, praying for favorable weather and a bountiful harvest. This reverence and gratitude for nature made me deeply appreciate the true essence of harmonious coexistence between humans and nature. Visiting Yunhe, one cannot miss the local specialty—the Snow Pear Feast. Yunhe snow pears, with a cultivation history of over 570 years, are a calling card of Yunhe. And the Snow Pear Feast is the highest courtesy offered by the people of Yunhe to their guests. Each dish is a tribute to nature and a legacy of agricultural civilization. The Yunhe Terraces are not just a beautiful natural landscape, but also a living historical scroll. Here, I felt the magical charm of nature and the profound heritage of agricultural civilization. It was a journey of the soul that deepened my understanding and reflection on the relationship between humans and nature. As I left the Yunhe Terraces, the setting sun had already stained the horizon red. Looking back, the terraces under the glow of the sunset appeared even more beautiful and moving.