元阳哈尼梯田、云海景观壮丽，独具特色，19万亩神奇的梯田被赞誉为“世界奇观，中华风度”的美誉，元阳哈尼梯田是哈尼族人世世代代留下的“大地雕塑”。开垦的梯田随山势地形变化，因地制宜，坡缓地大则开垦大田，坡陡地小则开垦小田，甚至沟边坎下石隙也开田，因而梯田大者有数亩，小者仅有簸箕大，往往一坡就有成千上万亩，远远望去，一层层梯田不停息地漫向四野，朝着天际跋涉。它的形象莽然巨大，占据天地，却宁静安详，无声无息，那磅礴大气与细腻爽洁的点线相谐，精致到绝美。
哈尼梯田在上千年的开发、垦植中，构建了“森林─水系─梯田─村庄”四素同构的良性循环农业生态系统，呈现出“山间水沟如玉带，层层梯田似天梯”的人间仙境，蕴含着人与自然的高度和谐，是哈尼族传统人居环境和农耕文化的典范，是人类梯田文化的杰作和世界农耕史上的奇迹，被联合国教科文组织誉为世界级的品牌。根据《实施世界遗产公约指南》第77段规定，在申报遗产的6条标准中，专家认定元阳哈尼梯田符合当中的4条申遗标准。2007年，中国国家林业局正式批准红河哈尼梯田为国家湿地公园，成为云南省第一个国家级湿地公园。2010年，被世界粮农组织评为农业文化遗产保护单位。
除了梯田，元阳的茫茫云海也久负盛名，素有“云海之乡”的美誉。在云海的点缀下，梯田更加神秘、飘逸和有神韵。元阳的云海气势磅礴，日出或日落的“霞海”最为壮观，在阳光的照射下，云海中的云团、云层和云浪染上绚丽多姿的色彩，像锦缎、像胭脂，似海非海，非海似海，美不胜收。当云雾散尽，峡谷空旷，村寨布局其中，青山、梯田蘑菇房构成了一幅神奇而美妙的画卷。
Brief introduction of Hani Rice Terraces Scenic Spots
Yuanyang Hani Rice Terraces and sea of clouds have their own distinctive features. The 190,000 mu amazing Hani Rice Terraces left by Hani ethnic minorities is called “sculpture in the earth” and “the Wonders of the World”，“elegant demeanor of China” as well.
The shape of plowed terraces changes with the landscapes of the mountain. The farmers reclaim big terraces in gradual land while small ones in steep land. The terraced fields reach more than thousands of layers in just one side of the mountain, the largest piece of which can be acres wide, and the smallest one is less than one meter. The terraces peacefully lay on the mountains, which forms a set of poetic picturesque picture scroll of nature beauty.
For thousands of years, the terraces have already formed a benign circulation of the ecological system comprised of four elements: “forest, water, village and terrace”, taking on a fairyland like scene on earth. “The irrigated canals and ditches among the mountains look like elegant jade belts; layers of terraces look like ladders to the heaven.” which implicates the harmony between man and nature. The terraces is the harmonious model of living environment and farming culture of Hani ethnic minority, as well as the masterpiece of the terraces culture and the miracle in the farming history of the world. The terraces, which shows us the harmonious model between human and nature, is authorized “World-class brand” by UNESCO. According to the “Guidance book of implement world heritage” paragraph 77, experts affirm Yuanyang Hani Rice Terraces is qualified for 4 of the 6 rules to be a member of the world heritage site. In 2007, State Forestry Bureau formally approved Yuanyang Hani Terraced Fields to be the first national wetland park of Yunnan province. In 2010, UN Food and Agricultural Organization approved it to be the Agricultural culture heritage sites
Except terraces, Yuanyang is famous for the sea of clouds as well. Yuanyang is reputed as “land of sea of clouds”. With the embellishing of the sea of clouds, terraces look more mysterious and graceful. In the moment of sunrise or sunset, the sea of clouds is considered as the most spectacular scene. In the sunshine, the sea of clouds becomes gorgeous, just likes elegant brocade and rouge. When the cloud scatters, the villages，mountain，terraces and the mushroom-shaped house emerge from the valley, taking on a poetic picturesque picture scroll.
