Major city · China
Yuanyang元阳
Spend 1–2 days in Yuanyang Old Town (Xinjie) to see the rice terraces; base in a guesthouse and use local buses for villages.
Yuanyang Old Town is the tourist hub for the world‑famous Hani rice terraces. A short stay (1–2 days) lets you visit the main villages, catch sunrise on the terraces and return to Kunming by bus. Longer trips are only needed for deeper trekking.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CNY
- Best months
- Oct–Apr (check)
- avoid Jun–Sep (rainy season, check)
- Airport
- KMG
- Nights
- 1–2
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- China ↗Most nationalities need a visa, a unilateral visa-free entry (the list and end dates change) or the transit exemption below. Confirm your route on the official sites before you buy a ticket.
- China ↗Transit stay without a visa: up to 240 hours (10 days) for citizens of about 55 listed countries who pass through China to a third country or region, with a confirmed onward ticket and a stay inside the permitted area (Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei count as one area). It replaced the 144-hour rule in December 2024, which some older pages still quote. Use the transit lane at immigration, show the onward ticket, and check the current nationality list. Hong Kong and Macau count as separate regions; check whether your ticket qualifies.
- China ↗Foreign visitors must register their address with the police within 24 hours; hotels do it at check-in with your passport. Carry the original passport at all times: hotels, trains, museums, Tiananmen Square and police checks ask for it.
- China ↗Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay with a foreign card before you fly. QR payment is the default in shops, taxis and many stalls, and some places refuse cash or a foreign card. Carry cash as a backup.
- China ↗Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and many news sites are blocked. Use an eSIM with roaming (it routes through your home network) or install and test a VPN before you fly; VPN sites and app stores are hard to reach inside China, and only government-approved VPNs are officially permitted.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Yuanyang110 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Yuanyang, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Alipay and WeChat Pay accept Visa, Mastercard, JCB and Amex cards; single payments over ¥200 (≈ US$30) carry a fee of about 3% on a foreign card (smaller ones…China-wide
- SIM or eSIMA roaming eSIM from outside China routes traffic through its home network, so Google, WhatsApp and Instagram work without a VPN — the simplest setup.China-wide
- Tap waterNot for drinking from the tap; bottled water ¥2–5 (≈ under US$1), and kettles and free bottles in hotel rooms.China-wide
- TippingRestaurants: No tip; upmarket hotels add 10–15% service.China-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/C/I. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): fits. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.China-wide
- SafetyGenerally safe for tourists; watch for steep stairs in terraces and keep valuables secured on buses.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPublic toilets are frequent and free; squat toilets outside hotels and malls.China-wide
- Emergency numbers110 police · 119 fire and ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany museums and palaces close on Mondays; the Forbidden City too (outside holidays).China-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckKMG Kunming Changshui International Airport (About 7 h bus to Yuanyang; check schedules.).
- Getting aroundLocal minibuses from Nansha (Yuanyang New City) bus station to villages; walk or hire a driver (≈¥15–¥20 per person).
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Street or quick mealBreakfast at guesthouse¥15–¥30 (≈ US$3–5)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi from city centre to bus station¥50–¥60 (≈ US$7–9)
- Metro or bus rideLocal bus ticket to village¥10–¥20 (≈ US$2–3)
- Budget bedGuesthouse dorm or private room, a night, per personCN¥40 (≈ US$6)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget CN¥80 (≈ US$12) · Mid CN¥150 (≈ US$25) · High CN¥250 (≈ US$35)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- KMG Kunming Changshui International Airport (About 7 h bus to Yuanyang; check schedules.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Feb
Best
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Mar
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Apr
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
May
not flagged
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Jun
Avoid
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Jul
Avoid
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Aug
Avoid
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Sep
Avoid
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Oct
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Nov
Best
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Dec
Best
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Best: Oct–Apr. Avoid: Jun–Sep. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)), coolest Jan (2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C) low), wettest Jul (14 rain days), driest Feb (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Yuanyang: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
6 rd
Feb
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
5 rd
Mar
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
7 rd
Apr
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
9 rd
May
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
11 rd
Jun
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
13 rd
Jul
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
14 rd
Aug
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
13 rd
Sep
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
11 rd
Oct
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
8 rd
Nov
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
6 rd
Dec
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
5 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Local minibuses from Nansha (Yuanyang New City) bus station to villages; walk or hire a driver (≈¥15–¥20 per person). Gate fees ¥60 apply to some terrace areas.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Yishu village
goDoor to door: ≈1 h
Local bus from Nansha, then walk 2 km (1.2 mi)Local bus from Nansha, then walk 1.2 mi (2 km)
Best at sunrise; small fee at gate.
Bada village
goDoor to door: ≈1.5 h
Local bus to Nansha, then minibus 30 min
Terrace views over rice paddies.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Yingyoulian Guest House
Dormitory from ¥30, private rooms from ¥40; close to Xinjie bus station.
Flowers Residence
Twin room ¥160, king ¥260; terrace view in Duoyishu village.
Sunny Guesthouse
Guesthouse with viewing terrace in Pugaolao village.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ¥80–¥120 (≈ US$12–17) excl. bed
- Mid
- ¥150–¥250 (≈ US$25–35) excl. bed
Trip budget
| Guesthouse dorm or private room1 × 1 night × CN¥40 | CN¥40 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × CN¥80 | CN¥80 |
| Kunming → Yuanyang bus (one way)1 × CN¥140 · check | CN¥140 |
| Local minibus to terrace villages1 × CN¥15 · check | CN¥15 |
| Gate fee for terrace area1 × CN¥60 · check | CN¥60 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | CN¥34 |
| Trip total≈ CN¥369 per person per day, bed included | CN¥369≈ US$55 |
2026 estimate in yuan; flights and long‑distance rail excluded.
Prices of common things
| Breakfast at guesthouse | ¥15–¥30 (≈ US$3–5) |
| Local bus ticket to village | ¥10–¥20 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Taxi from city centre to bus station | ¥50–¥60 (≈ US$7–9) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Gate fees of ¥60 (≈ US$9) for certain terrace sites; pay on entry.
- Buses may run on limited schedules; confirm times in advance.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire and ambulance
- 119
Pocket card
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Yuanyang元阳
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
请到这个地址To this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire and ambulance119
Embassy
US consulate in Kunming (check address); other embassies in Beijing.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Kunming → Yuanyang bus: about ¥140 (≈ US$20), 7 h (check)
- Local minibus to terraces: ¥15–¥20 (≈ US$3) per person (check)
Say or show
- 对不起 — Excuse me / Sorry (duìbuqǐ)
- 谢谢 — Thank you (xièxiè)
- 多少钱？ — How much is it? (duōshǎo qián?)
- 汽车站在哪里？ — Where is the bus station? (qìchē zhàn zài nǎlǐ?)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Yuanyang. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Oct–Apr (check) · avoid Jun–Sep (rainy season, check) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 2 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 2 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Bus from Kunming to Yuanyang (¥140, 7 h) – verify schedule.
- Night bus (arrives ~02:00) – cheap accommodation at bus station (¥40).
Sources
Ask about Yuanyang
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