Yamazaki Suya celebrated her birthday recently at a rice paddy field that had been turned into a giant work of art in Shenyang, Liaoning province.

"The last time that I planted rice I was in sixth grade in primary school," said Yamazaki, who is now studying at Liaoning University. "It's like a dream, planting rice here."

The paddy field art, a form believed to have originated in Japan, is located in a themed park in the city's Shenbei New District. After opening to the public in 2014, the park has become a popular tourist destination, with a rice harvest every year.

Zhang Aizhong, the park's founder, said that rice is not the only product. It's also about culture, art and helping farmers make more money, Zhang said.

Liu Caiqun contributed to this story.