Colorful rice paddies become art in hands of retired researcher

Cultivator creates map of China in 30 shades of grain

A gigantic map of China created through the novel use of colorful rice paddies has been attracting visitors to a farm in rural Shanghai's Jinshan district over the past few weeks.

A 71-year-old retired rice researcher produced the unique living art using 30 varieties of rice, which he cultivated himself, and which ripen to various colors, from green to purple.