Live Your Best Lives
Luoping, south of the Tropic of Cancer, is the first place where rape flowers bloom in China.
The hustle and bustle of the city has made us forget the comfort of our original pastoral life. We come to Luoping to experience the long-lost beautiful life.
At dawn, the sky is dim and the sun slowly rises from the horizon, blowing away wisps of mist. The karst hills gradually become clearer, and the rape flowers, like newborn babies, stretch out. The air is filled with a faint golden fragrance. Poetry and the distant are so close...
Every February and March, 200,000 mu (approximately 1,000 acres) of rapeseed flowers burst into vibrant bloom across the Luoping Basin, stretching for dozens of miles like a surging ocean of golden waves. Anyone who stops by this vast natural sea of rapeseed flowers cannot help but exclaim, "A Land of Treasures Abundant." Beekeepers, known as the "Chinese Gypsies," gather amidst the blossoms, releasing their bees to chase after the flowers and collect nectar. The undulating karst cones, dotting the sea of flowers, create a breathtaking scene resembling a fairyland on earth.
Traffic Information
1. External transportation
The most convenient way to travel to Luoping from other provinces is to first go to Kunming, and then from Kunming, take a bus or train directly to Luoping.
There's no direct high-speed rail service between Kunming and Luoping. You can take the high-speed rail from Kunming South to Qujing North, then transfer to a bus to Luoping at the Qujing Express Coach Station (next to the Chinese Medicine Hospital). The fare is 53 yuan (varies on holidays), and it takes 3 hours to reach Luoping Bus Station. Buses depart every 30 minutes.
2. Train: Express trains take over three hours, local trains take six hours, and the ticket price is 38 yuan. (Train T382, Kunming-Shanghai South, departs Kunming at 6:45 PM and arrives in Luoping at 10:22 PM. After February 1, 2018, it will depart Kunming at 9:15 PM and arrive in Luoping at 12:33 PM. The journey time is three hours and 18 minutes, with a four-minute stopover.)
3. By bus: Take a bus from Kunming East Bus Station. Buses depart every 40 minutes starting at 7:00 AM. The fare is 72 RMB. The last bus leaves at 6:20 PM and the journey takes approximately 4 hours.
2. Internal transportation
Luoping boasts convenient transportation, so newcomers don't need to worry about missing out on their destinations. The train station is 1.5 kilometers from the county seat, and a three-wheeled motorcycle taxi ride to Zhenxing Street in the county center takes just 10 minutes and costs less than 10 yuan. Luoping Bus Station offers dedicated tourist buses to various scenic spots (except the Lubuge Three Gorges). Public buses and minibuses operate on a regular schedule; they depart when full, and passengers can hop on and off as needed.
Summary: Choose the appropriate mode of travel based on the number of people and travel style.
3. Self-driving
The distance from Qujing to Luoping is 180 kilometers. The road grade is: Qulu Expressway - Jiangshi Class 1. The road condition is good. The distance from Kunming to Luoping is 240 kilometers. The road grade is: Kunshi Expressway - Jiangshi Class 1. The road condition is good.
Special reminder sections are: the Liangkouzi section in Shizong is steep and long, please check the brakes carefully. The section from Luoping County to Duoyi River and the section from Luoping County to Lubuge Three Gorges Scenic Area are very good .
The road in this area is narrow, please drive carefully.
The county seat is 35 kilometers away from the Jiulong Waterfall Group Scenic Area (Jiangzhao First-Class Highway, good road conditions); Luoping is 47 kilometers away from the Lubuge Three Gorges Scenic Area (Class IV road, many bends, good road conditions); Luoping is 12 kilometers away from the Jinji Peak Cluster Scenic Area (Class I road, good road conditions); the county seat is 47 kilometers away from the Duoyihe Scenic Area (Class IV road, many bends, narrow road); the county seat is 5 kilometers away from the main venue; the county seat is 15 kilometers away from the Niujie Qianqiutian (Class III road, good road conditions). You can drive directly to the scenic area (point).
Toll stations along the entire highway are: Qulu Toll Station 20 yuan, Jiangshi First-Class Fayu Toll Station 18 yuan, and Jinji Toll Station 18 yuan.
Gas stations: There are gas stations along the Kunshi Expressway and Jiangzhao First-Class Highway or around the county seat, providing fuel day and night.
Yunnan & Guizhou Grand Crossing AB Line
Flowering period
Luoping's rapeseed flowers typically bloom from mid-February to early April each year. Note that the blooming period varies daily, depending on the weather, so be sure to check online for updates. (In 2018, according to tour leaders, the Luoping rapeseed flowers are already in full bloom, so it's time to set off!)
Clothing Index
From January to April, the weather in Luoping is still a bit cold, ranging from around 10-16°C. The temperature difference between morning and evening is quite large, so it's best to wear a fleece jacket. Also, women are advised to wear brightly colored clothing to create beautiful photos amidst the sea of rapeseed flowers.
Consumer Price Index
Luoping's overall cost of living is relatively low, with food, transportation, and accommodation all very affordable. Lunch can be had for around 35 yuan per person, and standard accommodations are generally around 100 yuan, though prices can rise during peak season. Local handicrafts and local specialties are also reasonably priced, so you can buy some to take home.
Accommodation recommendations
Luoping County has numerous hotels and guesthouses, with prices ranging from 30 to 200 yuan per room. You can choose a place based on your needs. There are many hotels along Zhenxing Street, such as those near Xinfeng Street, where standard rooms cost 40 to 60 yuan, and beds cost 20 yuan per person. Accommodation can be a bit tight during the Rapeseed Flower Festival, especially on weekends, but if you're not too demanding, you should be able to find a place. For example, the County Party Committee Guesthouse offers a standard room for 20 yuan per person, with shared toilets, but poor soundproofing. (We recommend staying in Jinji Village for convenient access to key attractions.)
Luoping Photography Tour (Not Just Luoping)
Scenic spot introduction: The cluster of isolated peaks in the rapeseed fields near the main peak of Jinjiling is located about 9 kilometers northeast of Luoping County. The flat rapeseed fields are dotted with some isolated peaks, like ships in the sea, with a broad and not monotonous view.
How to play: Climb up to the observation deck and overlook the panoramic view of the sea of flowers; walk into the fields, personally float in the sea of flowers, and immerse yourself in the magnificent scenery.
Photo spots: Dahei Mountain (mountaintop), on the left side of National Highway 324; the observation deck halfway up the mountain (fee required); and other small hills accessible for climbing. (The best time to photograph sunset is after 5:30 PM, and the best time to photograph sunrise is around 7:00-7:30 AM.)
Address: Jinji Village, Banqiao Town, about 9 kilometers away from Luoping County.
How to get there: You can take a bus to Jinji from Luoping Bus Station (5 yuan for a minibus). The estimated travel time is 2-3 hours.
Tip: The viewing platform halfway up the mountain is popular with photographers in the morning, so it's recommended to arrive early to secure a favorable shooting angle. Avoid backlighting when photographing rapeseed flowers, especially in large scenes. Backlit rapeseed flowers will appear gray and lifeless. Generally, use direct or side lighting to create bright, crisp photos with distinct layers and high color saturation.
Unveiling the Secrets of the Jinji Peak Cluster's Undiscovered Filming Spots
The hill on the side of Jinji Village: A small hill on the right side of Jinji Village, facing the sunrise position. If you are lucky in the morning, you can see the sun jumping out from the gap of Shiwanda Mountain. There are countless steamed bun mountains in front and behind, scattered in front of the field of vision. The composition is relatively appropriate, which can easily achieve a different visual effect from others.
Meihua Mountain: Starting from Jinji Village, go through an underpass to the mechanized farming road to Wanfeng Jungle. The second peak on the left, named Meihua Mountain by the locals, is the best spot for photographing the sunset, with a relative height of 100 meters.
Pinde: A small village in Jinji Jungle, about one kilometer from Jinji Village heading towards Xingyi, turn right onto a mechanized farming road. The area is characterized by expansive rapeseed fields in front and rolling hills behind. In the morning, rising mist creates a landscape painting of alternating virtual and real landscapes. The crisscrossing roads here are constantly visited by villagers on motorcycles, horse-drawn carriages, and tractors, making it a perfect spot for photographing the fusion of flowers and culture.
Ma'anshan: About 400 meters from Meihua Mountain, you'll find one of the highest peaks in the Jinji Basin. Locals named it Ma'anshan for its saddle-like shape, with a vertical drop of about 130 meters. This location is ideal for shooting with a telephoto lens, capturing color blocks that fill the frame and create a sense of vastness.
Niujie Snail Fields are located ten kilometers northwest of Luoping County. This natural landscape, formed by a string of karst funnels, is a rare sight, characterized by their density and unique formations. The landscape is 50 meters deep and runs northeast to southwest, with terraced paddy fields and dry land arranged in neat rows. Different crops create a variety of color patterns throughout the seasons, radiating from a small circular basin in the center.
How to Play: In winter and spring, fields covered in rapeseed flowers shimmer with golden light, while wheat fields are emerald green. Walking through the snail fields, you'll see circular terraces covered in rapeseed flowers, stretching upward like countless coiled golden dragons. The naturally formed beaded funnel karst surface, cultivated by diligent farmers and shaped by Luoping's unique climate, has created this magnificent spectacle.
Photography location: roadside or surrounding high ground
Address: Niujie Township, 10 kilometers northwest of Luoping County
Getting there: 1. Charter a 3-wheeled motorbike from Luoping County to Niujie for a round trip cost of about 40 yuan, but the road conditions are poor. 2. Take the urban-rural bus from the North Passenger Transport Station in Luoping County to Niujie for about 4 yuan and a 15-minute ride.
Tips: The soft light in the morning and afternoon is more suitable for photographing the shape of the Snail Field. Going there too early or too late is not suitable for showing the texture of the Snail Field due to the existence of shadows. Like the Golden Rooster Peak Cluster, this place is shrouded in mist most of the morning. It is recommended to drive there after photographing the Golden Rooster in the morning. The shooting time is about 1-2 hours.
Scenic spot introduction: Walk about 15 kilometers from Luoping towards Duoyi River, and you will find that the surrounding mountains are stacked and peaks stand tall. In the distance, canyon basins are distributed below the time limit, and countless Guilin-like solitary mountains appear and disappear in the distance. In the near distance are layers of rapeseed terraces.
How to play: Overlook the scenery of rapeseed terraces blending with the Shiwanda Mountains from afar, and get a close look at the small mountain village surrounded by rapeseed fields.
Photo shooting location: roadside or on a hillside (shooting from the horizon will show a small Guilin, shooting from a high place will show the crisscrossing ravines and undulating valleys)
Address: Shiwandashan Viewing Platform is located along Luonai Highway in Jindai Village Committee, Shiwandashan Township, about 10 kilometers away from Luoping County.
How to get there: Take the urban-rural bus to Naige at Luoping Bus Station and get off at Shiwandashan. However, it is not very convenient to come back, so you can only wait on the roadside for the bus from Naige back to the county seat.
Warm reminder: The scale of the Shiwandashan Mountains can only be seen from a distance. There is no need to get off the car to take close-up photos. Therefore, many photographers choose to look out the window along the way to the Duoyi River. It is recommended to go in the morning. If you are lucky, you can take pictures of the cauliflower terraces shrouded in clouds and mist.
Located 22 kilometers north of Luoping County, Yunnan Province, the Jiulong Waterfalls are a unique sight. Due to unique geological structures and millennia of erosion, they have formed a series of ten waterfalls of varying heights, widths, and shapes. The largest waterfall, 112 meters wide and 56 meters high, is known as the "First Waterfall of Jiulong" for its magnificent scale and impressive scenery. The Jiulong Waterfalls are unique in their numerous waterfalls and densely packed attractions, offering year-round beauty and earning the reputation of "Ten Waterfalls of Jiulong, a unique sight in southern China."
How to Play: Ten cascades of varying sizes, some majestic, some precipitous, some graceful, some gentle, offer breathtaking beauty. The shallows and deep pools between the cascades offer a dazzling array of colors. White cascades like ripped silk, flowing water like emerald jade, and cascading, stepped platforms wind their way down the cascades, each offering a breathtaking spectacle from every angle.
Photo location: Although not as spectacular as the Huangguoshu Waterfall, it has its own characteristics. The waterfall is a series of ten cascades, and several waterfalls can be captured in one shot. The rape flowers planted beside the waterfall are used as the foreground, which can also create a fresh style.
Address: Dule Village, Changdi Township, 22 kilometers north of Luoping County, Yunnan Province.
Getting There: From the parking lot south of Luoping County Bus Station, take the shuttle bus to Banqiao for about 5 yuan per person, which takes about 30 minutes. From there, take a minibus to Jiulong Waterfall for 5 yuan, which takes 20 minutes. A cable car provides access to the elevated observation deck. In the calmer reaches of Jiulong River, bamboo rafts operated by locals are available for about 5 yuan per person and offer a 20-minute river cruise.
Tips: Scenic area phone number: 0874-8754101, reference time: 2-3 hours, ticket price: 95 yuan/person, opening hours: 9:00-17:00.
The Duoyi River lies in Luoping County, Yunnan Province, at the junction of Yunnan, Guizhou, and Guangxi. It connects to the Maling River Canyon National Key Scenic Area in Xingyi City, Guizhou Province. The scenic area begins at Duoyi Village, passing through the Shiwanda Mountain Cluster. The 12-kilometer riverbed boasts nearly 40 waterfalls, and its banks are lined with ancient trees and bamboo, creating a vibrant and vibrant scene. The film "The G-Force 2" was filmed here.
How to Play: Bamboo rafting and rafting are available. The tour is a single-line tour and requires a return trip. The riverside scenery is open to the public, reflecting the real life of the Buyi people. There are also sugarcane fields, banana plantations, a leisure area, and a dock to explore.
Photography locations: Waterwheel, Buyi culture, ethnic architecture, Yimushitan, and Leigongtan Waterfall.
Address: Duoyi River is located 40 kilometers southeast of Luoping County.
How to get there: You can take a bus from Luoping Bus Station to Fengzha (infrequent, only departs during the day, and gets off at Duoyihe) or a tourist bus. You can also charter a bus.
Tips: Phone: 0874-8783128, Recommended Duration: Half a Day, Admission: 70 RMB/person (half-price for those under 70 with a senior citizen ID), Round-trip electric car: 20 RMB/person, Bamboo raft: 10 RMB/person, Rafting: 150 RMB/person, Opening Hours: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM. Within the scenic area, each electric car has a small snack stall, run by local Buyi people, selling home-caught river fish, multicolored rice, and grilled potatoes and corn. (Delicious, highly recommend the grilled fish and multicolored rice.)
Luoping has many famous dishes and snacks, including fried rapeseed flowers, pea flour, sour bamboo shoots, and Fule crispy meat.
Luoping residents are particular about food and are known for their dedication to research. Therefore, in addition to the usual signature dishes, the city also boasts a wealth of local specialties, such as Fule Crispy Pork, Fule Dried Beef, Fule Jelly, boiled ercai (child's vegetable), rapeseed, mugwort, Luoguicai (rice with a guinea pig), aunt's vegetable, and ground pomegranates. During rapeseed blossom season, guests can enjoy salad with rapeseed sprouts or stir-fried fresh rapeseed flowers.
Rapeseed honey, flue-cured tobacco, ginger, chicken mushroom, bamboo shoots, Eucommia tea, rapeseed oil, Laochang wine, etc. Ethnic handicrafts include Buyi colorful flower rice, shoulder bags, colored eggs, indigo-dyed clothing, oil-paper umbrellas, small water wheels, bronzeware, water pipes, etc.
Yunnan travel is more than just Dali, Lijiang, Shangri-La, and Lugu Lake. Escape the popular routes and discover the exquisite beauty of southeastern Yunnan. We've curated a selection of the best destinations of the season, from Kunming to Guiyang, offering a comprehensive tour of waterfalls, canyons, caves, lakes, karst landscapes, and cultural highlights. Explore the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau and experience unique scenery like never before. Whether you're on a immersive or photo-taking tour, you'll find it satisfying. Worried about time? Don't worry; we can even offer a short two-day trip.
Luoping VIP Small Group Tour (covering Luoping's three most scenic spots)
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