Rice Harvest Meets Agricultural Artistry
By Zhang Yu in Shijiazhuang and Wang Songsong | chinadaily.com.cn | Updated: 2026-10-31 17:25
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A panoramic view of rice paddy field artwork themed "Growing Together, Sharing a Smart Future" in Shexian county of Handan, Hebei province. [Photo by Wu Zhiqiang/For chinadaily.com.cn]
As autumn gilds the Taihang Mountains, 120 hectares of rice paddy artwork have ripened in Shexian county of Handan, Hebei province. Farmers are seizing the fine weather to bring in the crop.
This year's rice harvest is estimated at 300 metric tons, roughly 175 tons after milling. But the fields hold more than a harvest: Each year Shexian county reinvents its paddy artwork theme, transforming ordinary farmland into a sightseeing extravaganza that draws visitors into the countryside.
The newly harvested rice will be dried, milled, and packaged before reaching buyers through scenic-area stalls, livestreams, and retail outlets, turning visitor traffic into real income and giving rural vitalization a boost.
That aligns with Shexian's broader bet on blending agriculture, culture, and tourism. Located in Handan, the only county in the region characterized entirely by mountainous terrain, Shexian lies at the junction of Shanxi, Hebei, and Henan provinces. Rich in history, it boasts the Red history of the Wahuang Palace and stone-terrace fields designated a globally important agricultural heritage.
Building on these assets, the county has launched farming-study tours, homestays, and rural sightseeing, while upgrading roads and tourist facilities and opening livestreaming channels to sell farm produce.
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[Image of rice paddy artwork]