Hunan's emerald terraces offer cool summer escape

Here, small hills resemble spirals while larger ones tower like pagodas, with cold mountain springs meandering through the layered terraces. While the foothills simmer in the summer heat, the mountaintops ripple with waves of rice and cool breezes.

At a pleasant 22 C, the terraces have become a natural retreat for tourists seeking respite from the heat. Crowds flock here to escape the scorching weather and enjoy the scenery.

Leveraging its cool climate, the local scenic area has developed a "cool breeze economy", enhancing the summer retreat experience through improved transportation and diversified tourism offerings.