Guizhou's terraced fields bloom as draw for tourists

Nestled within Shexiang Ancient Town, these terraces host tea trees and roses, forming patterns that look like delicate fingerprints carved into the earth. [Photo by Zhao Hui/For chinadaily.com.cn]

In midsummer, the terraced fields of Shexiang Ancient Town in Guizhou province rise in sharply defined tiers.

Nestled within the town, these terraces host ornamental tea trees and roses, forming patterns that look like delicate fingerprints carved into the earth.

Although the landscape recalls an age-old agricultural tradition, until recently the site was merely a barren depression.

Shexiang is now part of a resettlement area for poverty alleviation and serves as a model new town.

Its distinctive terrace scenery and Yi ethnic heritage have drawn increasing numbers of tourists, inspiring locals to open guesthouses, restaurants, and cultural workshops.

Lei Siqi contributed to this story.

Nestled within Shexiang Ancient Town, these terraces host tea trees and roses, forming patterns that look like delicate fingerprints carved into the earth. [Photo by Zhao Hui/For chinadaily.com.cn]

Nestled within Shexiang Ancient Town, these terraces host tea trees and roses, forming patterns that look like delicate fingerprints carved into the earth. [Photo by Zhao Hui/For chinadaily.com.cn]

Nestled within Shexiang Ancient Town, these terraces host tea trees and roses, forming patterns that look like delicate fingerprints carved into the earth. [Photo by Zhao Hui/For chinadaily.com.cn]

Nestled within Shexiang Ancient Town, these terraces host tea trees and roses, forming patterns that look like delicate fingerprints carved into the earth. [Photo by Zhao Hui/For chinadaily.com.cn]