Nestled in the mountains of Xinhua, Loudi, Hunan Province, China, the Ziquejie Terraces sprawl across 80,000 mu of land. With a rice-farming history stretching back more than 2,000 years, the site holds two world-class designations: World Heritage Irrigation Structure and Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS). It is hailed as the “Kingdom of Terraces”.
First developed during the Qin and Han dynasties, Ziquejie ranks among the world’s oldest continuously farmed terrace systems. It stands as a historic cultural fusion of rice cultivation traditions in southern China and the mountain fishing-hunting cultures of the Miao and Yao peoples. The terraces spread over mountain slopes at elevations between 500 and 1,200 meters. Some slopes exceed 50 degrees in gradient, with more than 500 tiers of fields. Seen from afar, they resemble a celestial pond descended to earth, offering distinct scenery in every season. In spring, water-filled fields mirror the mountains like silver plates. In summer, green rice waves cascade down from mountain summits. Autumn cloaks the hills in golden layers like pagodas of grain, while winter wraps the landscape in serene snow.
The most remarkable feature of Ziquejie is its natural gravity irrigation system. Instead of relying on ponds or reservoirs, ancient farmers leveraged local geological formations to channel mountain springs through a network of ditches, feeding fields tier by tier by gravity alone. Working in harmony with nature, this system has sustained the terraces for millennia, creating an agricultural marvel: “Even in severe droughts, harvests remain assured here.”
Boasting its dual global heritage status, Ziquejie has moved beyond revenue from sightseeing tickets. Guided by the principle of “authentic preservation, living utilization and integrated industrial development”, local authorities are transforming the terraces from a traditional scenic spot into a diversified economic hub. The “Ziquejie Tribute Rice” geographical indication brand has been developed alongside new offerings including terrace adoption, eco-homestays and study tours, linking heritage conservation directly to rural revitalization. The innovative “Terrace Guardian” adoption scheme mobilizes public participation. It raises sustainable funds for conservation while letting participants far away experience farming life. To date, thousands of people have adopted hundreds of mu of terraced farmland.
The site has also built a study tour programme named “Learning and Farming at Ziquejie”, offering courses on terrace irrigation science, traditional farming practices and Meishan intangible cultural heritage. New attractions such as terrace-side cafés, mountain light shows and family picking gardens have brought modern dynamism to the ancient landscape. The scenic area now receives around 800,000 visitors annually, with total cultural and tourism revenue of roughly 300 million yuan.
The terraces are evolving from a tourist destination into an international exchange platform. In September 2025, the 3rd “Ziquejie Terraces in Dialogue with the World” Forum on Farming Culture was held in Xinhua. Over 200 experts and scholars from the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and academic institutions worldwide gathered to discuss the preservation of farming culture and agricultural heritage. In a video address, Carlos Aldeco, FAO Representative in China, noted that since Ziquejie was designated a GIAHS site, its influence has grown steadily. It serves not only as a major tourism and economic asset, but also raises public awareness of heritage protection.
From September 18 to 21 this year, the 10th East Asia Conference on Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems will take place at Ziquejie Terraces. Carrying two millennia of agronomic wisdom, these ancient terraces will once again draw global attention, telling the world the story of China’s living farming civilization.
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