Rice fields in northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province are drawing thousands of holidaymakers with colourful artworks woven into the landscape, offering a fresh take on rural tourism.

At the Yangjiagang farm in Harbin, rice plants of different colours are carefully arranged to create large-scale designs, some covering more than 17 hectares. The artworks, which often resemble traditional Chinese paintings, are redesigned each year. This year’s theme is “The Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea”, a well-known Chinese legend.

The farm is attracting more than 20,000 visitors a day during the National Day holiday, with tourists able to ride a small train through the fields, sample local food and try rice-scented coffee.

The growing interest is also creating opportunities for local farmers. Agritourism at the farm has generated more than 200 jobs and provided additional income during the agricultural off-season.

With the rice harvest approaching, the farm is developing experiences for different seasons, combining agriculture, culture and tourism while showcasing rural life in Heilongjiang.