Xiaozhongdian Flower Sea

On the way to Shangri-La, we stopped at Xiaozhongdian to see a sea of wolfsbane flowers. The flowers are yellow this season, but turn red in the fall. The flowers were nice to see, but not spectacular. Anyway, since we were passing by, it was nice to stop and see them.

It’s the right time to come in October, the red grass wolfsbane makes the small Zhongdian look like a dream!

In September and October, which is autumn, this place will become the world of wolfsbane. The large flowers with fiery red eyes are extremely spectacular.

Various unknown small flowers and grasses weave into a veritable sea of flowers.

Xiaozhongdian, a small town on the way from Lijiang to Shangri-La, lies south of Shangri-La County, along National Highway G214. Nestled in a high-altitude, cold-weather basin, it boasts vast expanses of lush grassland. From late May to mid-June, the area transforms into a sea of vibrant flowers, with a vibrant display of azaleas, wolfsbane, geraniums, and various other small flowers and grasses, captivating visitors. It's also a perfect location for photoshoots and weddings. In autumn, from September to October, the area becomes ablaze with wolfsbane, with large, fiery-red blossoms creating a dazzling spectacle.

In early October, the season was full of red wolfsbane flowers, and there were cows and Tibetan pigs. The piglets were very lively and ran around, causing altitude sickness...

This town, known as the Sea of Flowers, is said to be covered with a variety of small wild flowers in the summer, which is a very beautiful sight. When we come here in this season, we can see a large area of red plants called: wolfsbane.

Located in Xiaozhongdian, Shangri-La, every rainy season, flowers bloom, making it a perfect place for flower portraits.

It's free here. When we went there, the flowers were sparsely blooming, so it was okay to take some photos. The best time to enjoy the flowers is in mid-to-late June. There's not much to see if you miss the season.

Through the car window, I could see a sea of rapeseed flowers in the distance, but the wolfsbane flowers at the get-off point were still yellow and didn't form a large scale. I couldn't help but wonder if I had arrived at a real sea of flowers.

Looking around, it seems like a green area, but in fact, the ground is covered with cow poop and sheep poop.

Xiaozhongdian, a small town on the way from Lijiang to Shangri-La, lies south of Shangri-La County, along National Highway G214. Nestled in a high-altitude, cold-weather basin, it boasts vast expanses of lush grassland. From late May to mid-June, the area transforms into a sea of vibrant flowers, azaleas, wolfsbane, geraniums, and various other small flowers and grasses, captivating visitors. In autumn, from September to October, the area becomes a spectacle of wolfsbane, with large, fiery-red blossoms creating a dazzling spectacle.

Xiaozhongdian, a small town on the way from Lijiang to Shangri-La, is located in a high-altitude, cold dam area and boasts vast expanses of lush grassland. From late May to mid-June, the area transforms into a sea of flowers. In autumn, from September to October, the area is ablaze with wolfsbane, with large, fiery-red blossoms creating a dazzling spectacle.

When we arrived, the azaleas had just faded, the geraniums had not yet arrived, and there were only clusters of wolfsbane about to bloom. (June 24, 2018)

Our final stop today at Xiaozhongdian Flower Sea was Yila Grassland, where my husband and I galloped (though we didn't quite get going) and let loose. Poor me, seeing grassland for the first time, felt like a child running around barefoot with my shoes removed, as excited as a pony.

Today's itinerary was short, so we had dinner early and drove 20 minutes to the Xiaozhongdian Flower Sea, which looked particularly beautiful in the sunset. PS: After we came out, we noticed a sign next to it: Private meadow, no trespassing.

On the way to Shangri-La, you will pass a place called Xiaozhongdian.

The driver will stop for you to take pictures, but there are no flowers this season, so don't expect too much.

Only this, nothing more

We hired a car to pick us up at the airport, and the round trip cost about 400 RMB, about half a day. Xiaozhongdian's sea of wolfsbane flowers is located right by the road. It's quite large and dense, its fiery red color popping against the verdant hills and grasses. The red color of the wolfsbane flowers doesn't actually come from the flowers, but from the leaves. With the arrival of autumn, the leaves turn from green to red, announcing the arrival of autumn in Shangri-La with their vibrant colors. We arrived early, so the flowers hadn't fully changed color yet. The colors will intensify in the coming days.

After leaving the sea of wolfsbane flowers, the driver took us to a reservoir not far away. The scenery of the reservoir itself was not very interesting, but the clusters of bright blue mountain forget-me-nots blooming on the shore really attracted me.

The sea of flowers here is not an open scenic area, but just an open grassland with wild rhododendrons blooming on both sides of the road.

The car stopped by the side of the road. Before I even entered, I could see a large sea of purple and red flowers in the distance, extending infinitely to the foot of the distant green hills.

Deep within the sea of flowers, the endless purple-red stretches across Xiaozhongdian like a giant floral carpet. At the foot of the mountain, the houses of the Tibetan village complement the azaleas, creating a festive and traditional Tibetan atmosphere.

Amidst the sea of purple azaleas, we could also see many small yellow flowers. Our guide told us that these were the famous wolfsbane, a plant that is poisonous, so livestock won't eat it. Although the flowers are yellow now, they will turn a vibrant red in autumn.



Walking through such a beautiful sea of rhododendrons, my mood became calmer and more peaceful. As my trip draws to a close, I feel no regrets about ending with this beautiful scene gifted by nature.

This is where alpine rhododendrons, geraniums, wolfsbane and unknown wild flowers bloom in abundance, each with its own unique beauty from May to October.

It is more than 30 kilometers away from Napahai, right next to the G214 National Highway, but our choice of scenery may be a little different, and we did not feel its alluring grandeur.

Xiaozhongdian Flower Sea is a scenic spot located south of Shangri-La County. Nestled in a high-altitude, cold dam area, it boasts vast expanses of lush grassland. From late May to mid-June, the area transforms into a vibrant sea of azaleas, wolfsbane, geraniums, and various other lesser-known flowers and grasses. In short, women won't be disappointed here.

I have seen azaleas in Baima Snow Mountain before, but the azaleas here are short and pink, and they seem to be called small wild azaleas. At first glance, the patches of pink flowers make my girlish heart overflow.

Put on a skirt and walk among the flowers, just like a fairy. My friend took photos here for a long time before leaving reluctantly, feeling that he must come again.

It is said that Xiaozhongdian Flower Sea is the best time for azaleas and wolfsbane to bloom from May to June every year. The sea of flowers, paired with the blue sky and white clouds, is like being in a paradise.

The flowers were still a bit sparse when we visited, so we were looking forward to seeing them in full bloom. Tickets are not required, but if you miss the blooming season, there won't be much to see. The best time to visit the Xiaozhongdian Flower Sea is from late May to June to witness its splendor!

Having good weather is really important! A few days ago, the weather forecast said it would rain, but it cleared up today. The weather was also very good. What a great luck!

The temperature in Shangri-La is lower than that in Lijiang, and the wind is very strong.

During blooming season, the area is a vast expanse of flowers. From May to June, it's a sea of pink azaleas, and from September to October, it's a sea of red wolfsbane. Surrounded by this romantic sea of flowers, I felt like a princess. Alas, I didn't wear a skirt.

In June, the rhododendrons in the Xiaozhongdian flower sea have all withered, and the geraniums have not yet bloomed, and it is the time when wolfsbane flowers dominate the scene.

The area is large, the scenery is beautiful, and the transportation is convenient. The sea of azaleas and wolfsbane flowers are both quite shocking.

The azaleas have withered, but the wolfsbane flowers are in full bloom. Xiaozhongdian is open to the public for free. There is a large grassland where Tibetan pigs and yaks are raised in the wild, so pig and cow dung can be seen everywhere.

Choose the right season when you go, and if you are traveling with a tour group, be prepared to go shopping.

Very good, the wolfsbane flowers are very beautiful, and it is a free attraction

We went in September, traveling from Lijiang to Shangri-La, passing through Xiaozhongdian. We had been hoping to see the wolfsbane (no particular reason, just the name...), but the driver of our chartered car didn't take us there. We only saw the sea of ​​Ge Sang flowers. From the car, we could see the wolfsbane flowers from a distance, but they weren't blooming brightly enough, so the driver didn't take us. The Ge Sang flowers are also beautiful this season, and my friend and I took many beautiful photos. The sky was blue, the flowers were beautiful, and I was in a great mood.

It's just a piece of wasteland, free of charge. The ones that charge a fee might look better.

It was winter when I went there, and the ground was covered with dead grass, with a withered and yellow feeling.

There weren't many flowers, it felt like there were very few, but it was called a sea of flowers, and the tour guide gave us some pictures to take, so we went down to take pictures.

The Xiaozhongdian Flower Sea doesn't live up to its name. The limited area along National Highway 214 doesn't quite make it a sea of flowers! It's only really beautiful in September when the wolfsbane blooms. Now is the season for the azaleas! Here are some close-up photos!

I have never been able to resist a sea of flowers, especially in June and July every year, when the mountains and plains are covered with small flowers...

Xiaozhongdian is a small town that must be passed by when going from Lijiang to Shangri-La. It is located in the south of Shangri-La County, next to the G214 National Highway. It is located in the high and cold dam area and has a large area of lush grassland.

There are many azalea bushes along the way from Shangri-La Old Town to Lijiang. If the weather is good and the flowers are in bloom, it's truly beautiful. You can get out of the car and take photos among the flowers for free. However, there's really no fun to be had there. It's just the flower fields. You can definitely look at them, but you might not be able to do much after taking photos.

On the way from Lijiang to Shangri-La by car. It is beautiful when the flowers are in season and the weather is good, but not worth seeing otherwise.

The azaleas were just beginning to bloom in mid-May, and I encountered several of them along the way. The photos weren't very good, as the flowers were clustered together, making them a bit messy.

You have to go in the right season, otherwise there will be no scenery. We also passed by and the driver introduced it to me. I can only imagine how beautiful it is.

When we were about to reach Shangri-La, there were patches of flower seas on the roadside. We did not go to Yangtangqu, which is said to be the most beautiful.

We went there at the end of September, just when the wolfsbane flowers were in full bloom. It was a beautiful view under the vast sky!

We thought the mountains and fields would be covered in flowers when we arrived, but the reality was very different. The flowers were not in full bloom, but I think it would be spectacular when they were in full bloom, and of course there would be a lot of people!

Tibetans are quite friendly, though some are quite sharp and slippery.

Unfortunately, I went a little late and missed the opportunity.

Even though the flowers haven't bloomed yet, I still had a lot of fun. There are snow-capped mountains behind us, and we can also ride horses. It's quite vast.

The wolfsbane in Xiaozhongdian is very beautiful and attracts many tourists in autumn. However, the wolfsbane itself is highly toxic, so Tibetans use it as a medicinal herb.

The sea of flowers depends on the season. When I went there in September, there was a red grass with many small wild flowers blooming.

From late May to mid-June every month, colorful rhododendrons, wolfsbane flowers, and geraniums bloom; in the autumn of September and October, this place becomes the world of fiery red wolfsbane leaves.

Xiaozhongdian is beautiful in May and June, with dwarf rhododendrons and wolfsbane flowers. In September, there are fiery red wolfsbane flowers.

Xiaozhongdian, a small town on the way from Lijiang to Shangri-La, is located in a high-altitude, cold dam area and boasts vast expanses of lush grassland. From late May to mid-June, the area transforms into a sea of flowers, with vibrant displays of azaleas, wolfsbane, geraniums, and various other small flowers and grasses, captivating visitors. It's also a prime location for photoshoots and wedding photos. In autumn, from September to October, the area becomes ablaze with wolfsbane, with large, fiery-red blossoms creating a dazzling spectacle.

This depends on your luck. If you want to see the colorful sea of flowers, it is not always available because the flowering period is very short. However, if you pass by here on your way to Shangri-La, you can still pay attention to it.

I went there in July and the flowers were in full bloom!

Different flowers bloom in different seasons, but they are more beautiful when it is sunny.

I went there in July and the flowers were in full bloom!

Different flowers bloom in different seasons, but they are more beautiful when it is sunny.

Xiaozhongdian's azalea fields are most famous from mid-May to mid-June each year, though the blooming period can be delayed by about a week depending on rainfall. Don't miss this stunning azalea sea in Shangri-La during late May or early June. The azalea fields in Xiaozhongdian fade earlier than those on Baima Snow Mountain, and the flowers fade more quickly, disappearing within 3-4 days. The flowers here are larger, and there are also azalea fields near Baishuitai. The azalea fields at Qianhu Mountain are located deep within the mountains, requiring a hike of dozens of kilometers. Therefore, Xiaozhongdian's is more convenient, as they are located along the roadside.

The flowers all over the mountains are really beautiful, paired with the blue sky and white clouds.

A must-see town on the way to Shangri-La, it lies south of Shangri-La County, along National Highway G214. Nestled in a high-altitude, cold-weather basin, it boasts vast expanses of lush grassland. From late May to mid-June, the area transforms into a sea of vibrant flowers, with a vibrant display of azaleas, wolfsbane, geraniums, and various other small flowers and grasses, captivating visitors. It's also a prime location for photoshoots and weddings. In autumn, from September to October, the area becomes ablaze with wolfsbane, with large, fiery-red blossoms creating a dazzling spectacle.

A sea of flowers.

A whole sea of flowers, white clouds in the sky, and surrounded by high mountains in the distance, it is breathtakingly beautiful.

In winter, the Xiaozhongdian flower sea is a vast expanse of white. Summer is different, with geraniums covering the mountains and fields, decorating the land like a painting!

You have to go to the right season to enjoy this scenery. October should be better. Then you usually hire a car and find a similar driver. It's quite nice to have a good time. Whether it's good or not depends on the season and the driver you hire.

The unique meadows of the plateau, the blue sky and white clouds, the singing of birds and the fragrance of flowers!

In September, only wolfsbane flowers are left in Xiaozhongdian, but I am still very happy to take pictures of them.

Traveling from Lijiang to Meili Snow Mountain requires passing through Xiaozhongdian, a plateau meadow blanketed in wolfsbane flowers, creating a unique scene. At the intersection, villagers set up a small stall selling fried potatoes and a sign announcing a fee for entering the flower sea. The Tibetans are truly economically savvy.

The leaves of wolfsbane are red, not bad.

On the side of the road, the most beautiful scenery is on the road

There are wolfsbane flowers everywhere, and the rest are all people. It's not fun. The toilet charges one yuan per time.

Day 3 in Shangri-La: Last night, I finally had some friends stay with me. Everyone was carrying backpacks over 50 liters, except for those heading to Yubeng and those going to the circumambulation mountain. I was truly impressed. Compared to the more comfortable island tours, I prefer the slightly more arduous plateau tours. The scenery is incredibly beautiful, and while it's tiring, it's mentally exhilarating.

Today I went to Xiaozhongdian Yangtangqu Scenic Area with my friends. Along the way, Zhaxi was very enthusiastic and took us to climb a small hill. I am not good at climbing. My friends were very relaxed, but I fell twice. But when we climbed up, we could see the whole picture of the village. Zhaxi patiently explained to us the various customs and practices of the Tibetans. He repeatedly emphasized that they are different from other ethnic groups. He told us that this place is the most beautiful in May and June. The mountains are full of rhododendrons of various colors. Today we also learned that lavender on the plateau also has several colors. I picked up a herbal medicine 🌿 and said it is good for the kidneys. 😱😱😱

Take a yak boat to drift and see the wolfsbane flowers. The flowers have not yet fully turned red in this season. It is said that they are green at the beginning and turn red in autumn. It is spectacular to think about it. Before leaving, Zhaxi enthusiastically gave us cheese to eat. It was so sour and refreshing.

The blue sky, hidden behind wisps of white clouds, felt incredibly close, closer than Dali or Kunming. The clouds seemed to be flying low over the mountaintops, each in a myriad of shapes and forms. Sometimes they resembled the surging waves of the sea, sometimes like balls of cotton candy. The sky was a sapphire blue, translucent and clear. Or like freshly dyed cloth, a gentle twist would reveal a vibrant blue.

Xiaozhongdian is a place where you can relax and enjoy sightseeing. However, be aware that during peak tourist season, if you get off your car to take photos, you might be charged a fee of one or two yuan by the Tibetan women living nearby. For those driving or chartering a car, you can take a detour from Xiaozhongdian to the reservoir.

Xiaozhongdian, with the drizzle falling, is quiet and beautiful.

Pastures, yaks, barley racks and prayer flags are the most classic scenery of Xiaozhongdian

It's a pity that we missed the flowering season. It is said that there will be a sea of flowers here in May and June, but when we went there was only sparse grass.

Shangri-La, Xiao Zhongdian. The first photo perfectly captures the beautiful, free, and exhilarating Shangri-La I long for. Shangri-La has entered its rainy season, and today was a good day, with blue skies and white clouds. The weather made the scenery even more beautiful.

This is Xiaozhongdian. Because it is not far from Shangri-La County, I won’t use a map for this travelogue. I’ll just list the names so that they are easy to locate.

I missed the azaleas in May and June, and all I could see were white and purple potato flowers, ears of barley, and yellow fireweed.

It has just been confirmed that there is a problem with the Guitar Village Chief's camera. Many of the artistic family photos have been ruined. What a pity.

Crossing a vast grassland on the way to a Tibetan home, I saw tons of wild sea buckthorn berries. They must have bloomed just for me, turning red just for me. I ate them as I walked. They were sour and sweet, all-natural and pesticide-free, and incredibly delicious. I felt happy and satisfied. I also left a lot for the next group of guests.

Between the vast desert and the grassland, clumps and patches of gray-green grass stand proudly amidst the dust and gravel. Some tips bear red buds like matchsticks, while others have already blossomed, a white flower. It's called wolfsbane. Amidst the harsh wind and the setting sun, the flowers stubbornly gleam with a dazzling luster. It's said to be the last sight of the grassland transforming into the desert. Some say it's more poisonous than a wolf, bringing fear and the threat of death. However, everyone knows that those who have emerged from the desert see hope, knowing that behind it lies life and victory. Only this plant can tenaciously survive the harshest conditions and miraculously produce fruit. Unfortunately, when we visited, the yellow wolfsbane was in full bloom, just past its prime, and we missed the red flowers.

In Xiaozhongdian, maybe the time has not come yet, there are not many flowers blooming, only a field of yellow flowers and small wild flowers that you need to lower your head to see.

Xiaozhongdian, a small town on the way from Lijiang to Shangri-La, is located in a high-altitude, cold dam area and boasts vast expanses of lush grassland. From late May to mid-June, the area transforms into a sea of vibrant flowers, including azaleas, wolfsbane, geraniums, and various other small flowers and grasses. It's also a perfect location for photoshoots and weddings. In autumn, from September to October, the area becomes ablaze with wolfsbane, with large, fiery-red blossoms creating a dazzling spectacle.

Xiaozhongdian, a small town on the way from Lijiang to Shangri-La, is located in a high-altitude, cold dam area and boasts vast expanses of lush grassland. From late May to mid-June, the area transforms into a vibrant sea of flowers, with vibrant azaleas, wolfsbane, geraniums, and various other small flowers and grasses, captivating visitors. It's also a prime location for photoshoots and wedding photos. In autumn, from September to October, the area becomes a hub of wolfsbane. The large, vibrant red flowers are incredibly vibrant. Most bus trips from Lijiang to Shangri-La will pass through Xiaozhongdian, and some tour groups stop there for photos.

In the beautiful Xiaozhongdian, it turns out that the roadside attractions without tickets are more beautiful, just like paintings.