Picture of Yuanyang Terraced Fields Leonardo Da Vinci

Meeting

Leonardo da Vinci was a great traveler and explorer who sought to discover the world. He had heard of the spectacular scenery of the Yuanyang Rice Terraces and wanted to see them for himself. So he set out for China and arrived in the Yuanyang area.


It was then that he met Yue Yu, a young woman who worked in a local rice terrace. Leonardo was immediately fascinated by its calm air and natural beauty. She explained to him how she had been growing rice with her parents for several generations on this fertile land rich in fresh water. Leonardo was captivated by everything she said: the traditional agricultural techniques they used, the care given to the crops, etc.


He spent several days with Yue Yu exploring the rice terraces and discussing his artistic observations of how light reflected off the lush green fields and the different tones the sky took on at sunset. This inspired Leonardo for his future pictorial masterpieces which capture so well the timeless beauty of the mountains of Yunnan. They became very close friends during this unforgettable trip and stayed in touch for years after Leonard returned home.