京西稻：从“皇帝特供”到都市体验 稻花再香话丰年
京西稻：从“皇帝特供”到都市体验 稻花再香话丰年
Bumper harvest retells legend of west Beijing rice
中国自古以农业立国，尤其是稻作文明悠久璀璨。在中国南方的河姆渡遗址中曾出土已经碳化的稻壳，从中甚至还能够看到稻米，经过分析，确认这是7000年前人工栽培的稻米。
Since ancient times, China’s state strength has been mainly built on agriculture, with a time-honored rice cultivation in particular. Analysis of carbonized rice husks found at the early Neolithic Age Hemudu site in southern China has confirmed that these rice were cultivated 7,000 years ago.
到了汉唐时期，由于水利工程的兴修，北方水稻种植有了大发展。而京西地区的水稻种植到了辽、金时期，已是“粳稻之利，几如江南”。
In the Han Dynasty (206 BC– 220) and Tang Dynasty (618–906), the construction of water conservancy projects gave a boost to rice cultivation in the country’s north. By the Liao Dynasty (907–1125) and Jin Dynasty (1115–1234), rice planting in the west of Beijing was as popular and developed as that in the regions south of the Yangtze River.
清朝时的京西稻，米质优良、耐蒸煮，“七蒸七晒，色泽如初”，被康熙帝钦定为“贡米”。当时，京西稻种植在由皇帝开辟的“官田”之中，以玉泉山山泉水灌溉，康熙不只“点赞”京西稻，还亲自进行培育、改良，因此，京西稻不只是“贡米”，更是真正的“御米”。
During the Qing Dynasty (1644 – 1912), west Beijing rice was designated as an exclusive supply for the royal family by Emperor Kangxi for its excellent quality and resilience. Its luster remains even after several rounds of steaming and drying. At that time, west Beijing rice was planted in the official land developed by the emperor and irrigated by Yuquanshan Mountain’s spring water. Kangxi not only spoke highly of the rice, but also cultivated and improved it himself. Therefore, west Beijing rice is not only a luxurious stable food, but also a literally imperial rice variety.
近年来，由于北京地区生态环境保护得到改善，地下水位有了明显的提升，“稻花香里说丰年，听取蛙声一片”的田园风光情景重现京城。今天的京西稻既是重要的农业生产系统，又是重要的文化和景观资源。农民们按照传统的农耕方式进行种植，清明下籽育秧，小满插秧，稻谷在白露时抽穗，霜降时收割。
With the improvement of ecological and environmental protection in Beijing, the underground water level has been significantly raised, and the pastoral scene of frogs singing in ripe paddy fields has reappeared in Beijing.
West Beijing rice is not only an important agricultural production system, but also a precious cultural and landscape spot. Farmers plant crops in line with traditional farming methods based on the lunar calendar's specific solar terms, breeding in mid-April and planting rice seedlings in early summer. The rice ears during early autumn and is harvested in late autumn.
到了水稻收割当天，农民朋友手持镰刀，喜笑颜开，辛苦一年迎来满满收获。而这一天，稻田里还要举办丰富多彩的田间文化活动。
On the day of rice harvesting, farmers, weaving sickles and all smiles, reap one year’s hard work. On this day, a variety of cultural activities will be held in paddy fields.
盛大开镰仪式号角正式吹响，“尊者”宣布开镰仪式开始，伴随着一条“巨龙”游于田间，大家共同用镰刀割下新一季的水稻，开启了寓意五谷丰登的欢庆之歌。中国古代帝王有亲耕田地的礼仪制度，今天，则由身穿华服的老者朗诵表演《耕耤礼》，回顾“农耕文化”的脉络。
The ceremony will begin with the horn of harvesting. At the order of a respected senior local, farmers will wind through the paddy fields like a moving dragon. The harvest of fresh rice heralds the celebration for a bumper year. In ancient China, emperors would plough the fields themselves as part of the royal etiquettes. Nowadays, the ritual is performed by a local senior, who is dressed in fine clothes and recites ceremonious words to introduce the farming culture.
体验水稻收割过程是重点项目。大人孩子争相割稻、打谷脱粒，感受劳动的辛苦和丰收的喜悦，孩子们也真切体会到了粮食的来之不易。
Experiencing rice harvesting is the ceremony’s highlight. Adults and children would rush to cut rice and thresh them, getting a taste of the hard work and the joy of harvest. In this way, children would physically learn that food does not come by easily.
除了这些，在水稻生长期，田间还会举办插秧体验、钓蟹等农耕体验活动，吸引越来越多的都市人参与其中，体验传统农耕文化。
In addition, during the growing season of rice, farming activities such as rice transplanting and crab fishing will also be held in the fields to attract more urbanites to participate in and experience traditional farming culture.
农业文化遗产是人类文明史上最精华、最辉煌宝贵的财富，稻浪滚滚、稻谷飘香，让农业文化遗产“活”了起来！
Agricultural cultural heritage is the most essential and brilliant wealth in human civilization history. It becomes alive thanks to the bumper harvest and rich farming experience activities.
