The rice fields of Yakou Village (崖口村) in Zhongshan, Guangdong Province, have turned golden as the late-season rice harvest gets underway, sending waves of gold rippling across this corner of the Pearl River Delta.
The village, in Nanlang Subdistrict on the western bank of the Pearl River Estuary, is harvesting more than 133 hectares of rice. This year's harvest is expected to finish by November 15.
For visitors, Yakou offers more than a view of the harvest. Colorful container cafés and restaurants line the roads beside the paddies. Here, people can enjoy a cup of coffee and a slice of cake while looking out over the fields. Cycling along the country paths is another popular way to take in the scenery.
The village has also built a range of food and leisure attractions around its farmland. Visitors can sample local specialties such as Yakou wontons, claypot rice and fresh seafood, or relax in one of the village's cafés or homestays. According to the official website of the Zhongshan Municipal People's Government, Yakou now has more than 140 cafés and 13 homestays, making it a popular rural getaway.
Yakou's history dates back to the Southern Song Dynasty, and the village has kept a rich cultural heritage. Its ancestral halls and historic buildings reflect generations of village life, while the traditional Yakou Piaose parade, a national-level intangible cultural heritage item, remains an important part of local identity.
As the harvest goes on, Yakou's golden rice fields invite visitors to slow down, breathe in the scent of rice and discover a quieter side of Zhongshan.
Author | Feng Huiting
Photos | Feng Huiting
