A guide to flower viewing at Jiucaiping in Guizhou, the only place in the world where chives can be seen
Preface
Jiucaiping is the world's largest belt of wild chives and the only wild chive flower reserve in China. Known as the "Roof of Guizhou," it's also one of China's ten famous summer resorts. (The following appears unrelated to the preceding text:) A video of the sea of flowers captured on Douyin.
As spring and summer pass, the seas of flowers in many places gradually come to an end. However, in September, Jiucaiping (Jiucaiping) blooms into a sea of flowers, covering nearly 40,000 mu (approximately 1,000 hectares) of wild chives. The blooming period is only 20 days, so if you miss it, you'll have to wait until next year.
August and September are the peak seasons for Jiucaiping, when the mountains are covered in spherical purple chive flowers, creating a sea of purple from afar. Jiucaiping, known as "Bosheye" in the Yi language, means the highest peak of the bamboo-covered mountain. Because Jiucaiping is shrouded in mist year-round, this world's largest wild chive forest is also known as the "Flower Sea on the Clouds."
Where is Jiucaiping?
The roof of Guizhou - Hezhang Asilisi Scenic Area, consists of five major areas: the roof of Guizhou Jiucaiping (Heavenly Stone Forest), Da Jiucaiping (Heavenly Flower Sea), Asilisi Prairie (Yunding Prairie), Pingshan, and Kela.
Jiucaipingcheck the details
Jiucaiping, known as the "Roof of Guizhou," boasts the world's largest expanse of wild chives and is hailed as the "Provence of the East." The scenic area boasts a magical, ever-changing landscape, with seas of chive blossoms, sunrises amidst a sea of clouds, expansive peaks, rocky cliffs, and plateau ice and snow all particularly spectacular. Every August and September, tens of thousands of acres of wild chives bloom, swaying in the wind, creating a sea of light purple. This, combined with the peaks, blue sky, and white clouds, creates a unique and beautiful scene on the roof of Guizhou, drawing visitors in droves.
Recommended months: August to September
4203 recommendations, 2935 visits
Xiaojiucaiping Scenic Area
Xiaojiucaiping, the highest peak of the "Roof of Guizhou", is 2,900.6 meters above sea level. Climb up and have a panoramic view, you will see the charm of Wumeng, the overlapping peaks, the sea of clouds and fog, the majestic and magnificent scenery, and the feeling of "seeing all the mountains as small"; here you can see the karst secret palace "Bonsai Stone Forest", "Maze Stone Forest", "Water-washed Stone Forest" and "Pictograph Stone Forest", allowing you to feel the charm of nature's magic; the Swallow Cave next to the Lop Stone Forest is shrouded in layers of twilight mist, with swallows playing in the cave, which is mysterious and known as the highest and deepest plateau vertical shaft cave on the Guizhou Plateau.
Daluicaiping Scenic Area
The "Heavenly Flower Sea," also known as Jiulongtun, echoes the Xiaojiucaiping in Hezhang, the "roof of Guizhou." It is the only belt of chive flowers in China. Its main peak, at 2,777 meters, is the second highest peak in Guizhou. Located at the junction of Xingfa Township, Baiguo Town, and Shuitang Township in Hezhang County, 30 kilometers from the county seat, it covers nearly 30 square kilometers and runs east-west, with a maximum width of 17.5 kilometers and a maximum length of 31.5 kilometers. It belongs to the Wumeng Mountain Range. It gets its name from the thousands of acres of wild chive flowers that blanket the area each autumn, transforming it into a sea of blossoms, earning it the nickname "Heavenly Flower Sea."
Asilisi Steppe
The Yunding Grassland scenic area is located at the junction of Weishe, Xingfa, Guda, and Baiguo townships in Hezhang County. The entire area covers nearly one million mu (approximately 1,000,000 mu) and has an average elevation of over 2,300 meters. Its highest peak, Yumo Mountain, stands at 2,447 meters. The scenic area features a rare grassland landscape in southern China, where cattle and sheep can be seen in the wind-blown grass. The scenic area includes attractions such as Shuaiyin Mountain, Liuhe Gate, Numao Mountain, Tudigong, Shuzhuang Pond, Chuifeng Ridge, Paomaping, Qingren Creek, Azalea Forest, Fupi Rock, Shuangru Peak, Xiaotiankeng, Saige Stage, Dianjiang Stage, Moon Cave, Swallow Rock, Caier Rock, Ruanshi Cave, Ancient Post Road, and Wind Measurement Tower. Surrounding the area is the majestic and expansive "Shiwan Mountains."
Pingshan Scenic Area
It is the eastern gate of Hezhang, with a pleasant climate and beautiful scenery, including national forest parks, mountain villages, canyons, strange peaks, caves, ten thousand acres of cherry trees, Qixingguan and other scenic spots.
We mainly went to the Daluicaiping Scenic Area to enjoy the flowers. The purple sea of flowers can be called "China's Provence"
How to get to Jiucaiping?
Asilixi Dajiucaiping Scenic Area in Xingfa Township, Hezhang County, Bijie City, Guizhou Province, north of Dawan Town, Zhongshan District, Liupanshui City, Guizhou Province
Guiyang-Dajucaiping (self-driving)
Route: Guiyang - Shanghai-Kunming Expressway - Lanhai Expressway - Guiqian Expressway - Qianda Expressway - Hangzhou-Ruili Expressway - Biwei Expressway - Xiuhe Line - Rural Road - Daluicaiping Scenic Area (refer to Baidu Maps for navigation)
Time: About 5 hours and 8 minutes
Kilometers: About 297 kilometers
Fee: around 121 yuan
Guiyang-Dajucaiping (bus)
There is no direct bus from Guiyang to Jiucaiping. You can only go to Hezhang County first and choose to charter a car or share a car to the Daluicaiping Scenic Area.
Route: Guiyang Bus Station - Hezhang County - Charter a car to Daluicaiping
Travel time: about 4 hours (Guiyang-Hezhang only)
Cost: around 120 yuan
Guiyang-Dajucaiping (train)
There is no direct train from Guiyang to Jiucaiping. You can only get off at Caohai Railway Station and choose to charter a car or share a car to the Daluicaiping Scenic Area.
Trains: Guiyang-Caohai K9588, K9581, K9584 (see train schedule)
Travel time: about 5 hours (Guiyang-Caohai only)
Cost: around 50 yuan
When is the best time to go to Jiucaiping?
The Jiucaiping Scenic Area boasts an average year-round temperature of 17.8-22.4°C. Named one of China's Top Ten Summer Resorts, it's particularly popular in July and August. The chive blossoms typically bloom for just 20 days, from late August to mid-September, blanketing the mountains in purple wild chives.
(Picture from the scenic spot's official website)
How to visit Jiucaiping?
The Asilisi Jiucaiping Scenic Area is now very mature, with two gates, east and west. People usually choose to enter and exit from the east gate.
Flower Viewing Route 1
East Gate - Scenic Area Sightseeing Bus (or Cable Car) - Flower Sea Pavilion - Cloud Sea Sunrise Observation Deck - Rooftop - Zixianju - Jiulong Cliff - Flower Shadow Pavilion - Moon-Grabbing Pavilion - Green Hidden Peak - Scenic Area Sightseeing Bus (or Cable Car) - East Gate
Flower Viewing Route 2
West Gate - Sightseeing Train - Colored Stone Road - Flower Shadow Pavilion - Nine Dragon Cliff - Fufeng Terrace - Zixianju - Green Hidden Peak - Roof Ridge - Flower Sea Pavilion - Scenic Area Sightseeing Bus (or Cable Car) - East Gate
Tips:
Scenic area opening hours: 09:00-18:00
Ticket price: 50 yuan
Ticket + round-trip sightseeing bus 100 yuan
Ticket + round-trip cable car 130 yuan
The temperature at the top of the mountain is lower, about 20 degrees Celsius lower than at the foot. Bring warm clothing. Jiucaiping is a popular spot for mountaineering enthusiasts, so if you decide to hike, be sure to bring plenty of water and high-protein, high-calorie foods.
Jiucaiping accommodation and food recommendations
Jiucaiping Scenic Area is now under the unified management of a tourism management company. There are no hotels or farmhouses on the mountain, and camping is not allowed. You can only stay at the farmhouses at the entrance of Jiucaiping Scenic Area. The accommodation conditions are average, but it is convenient to go up the mountain early to watch the sunrise at Jiucaiping. Alternatively, you can stay in Hezhang County.
Accommodation in scenic area farmhouses
Hezhang Yuntian Summer Resort Hotel (Farmhouse-style hotel)
Located next to the parking lot of the Dajiucaiping Scenic Area (East Gate) in Hezhang County, and adjacent to the scenic area's ticket hall and the Ethnic Culture Square, this hotel boasts a convenient location and beautiful surroundings. This hotel offers comprehensive facilities, comprehensive functionality, and comfortable accommodations, including parking. This mid- to high-end hotel integrates accommodation, dining, barbecue buffets, business, leisure, summer retreats, and a sales network of agricultural products. Guest rooms include standard rooms, king-size rooms, mahjong rooms, and business suites. Each room is equipped with HD Internet TV, Wi-Fi, a computer, broadband access, high-end bedding, and 24-hour hot water. The dining options include buffets, table meals, barbecue buffets, and other delicious farm-style dishes. A tea room is also available for leisurely tea sipping, catering to every traveler's dining and entertainment needs.
Guizhou Rooftop Hotel (a farmhouse-style hotel at the entrance of the scenic area)
Guizhou Rooftop Hotel is located in the Asilixi Dajiucaiping Scenic Area in Zhongying Village, Xingfa Township, offering convenient access to the area. Rooms are equipped with LCD TVs, private bathrooms, 24-hour hot water, and high-speed Wi-Fi, all conveniently available to all guests. The hotel boasts a large restaurant furnished with ship-wood tea tables and featuring New Oriental chefs. Guests can enjoy delicious food while appreciating tea art, allowing them to experience a tranquil and leisurely lifestyle. Free parking is also available, making it convenient for guests to explore the area.
Hezhang Yelang Hotel (Hezhang County Hotel)
Hezhang Yelang Hotel is the only three-star high-end business hotel in Hezhang, integrating dining, accommodation, conference services, sauna and bathing, leisure, and shopping. Located on Yelang Avenue, adjacent to Yelang Square and the bus station, the hotel is situated in the heart of Hezhang County, offering convenient transportation. Positioned as the "living room for the people of Hezhang County," it is a premier destination for government receptions, business meetings, and leisure travel.
Farmhouse specialties
"Thin skin, thick flesh, juicy, small core, bright pearl-like color, and sweet honey-like flavor"—this is how Hezhang walnuts are described. Jiucaiping's walnuts are particularly famous. Delicious county dishes include mutton noodles, three-fresh rice noodles, pan-fried pot, and barbecued dishes. Hezhang's walnut candy is also quite famous. The local potatoes are particularly delicious, mostly exported, and roasting them is a local favorite.
How to take good photos of Jiucaiping?
Best season for photography
From the end of August to mid-September every year
Equipment requirements
A DSLR camera is a must, and preferably a wide-angle or telephoto lens. The wide-angle lens can capture the entire field of purple chives, while the telephoto lens is often used for portraits amidst the flowers. If you have an aerial camera, bring it along; Gengwang Lake is ideal for aerial photography, capturing the entire field of flowers against the backdrop of the mountain windmills.
Portrait Photography Guide
1. The model should wear light-colored clothing (white is fine) to blend in with nature, so that the pictures will appear particularly simple and elegant.
2. Interact with the scenery, combining movement and stillness. Crouching amidst the flowers, you can sniff, touch, block, and other actions. When shooting, adjust the lens so that the foreground is solid and the background is blurred. Add a shrug and a sweet smile, and the whole scene becomes vivid!
3. Use props. To add more elements to your photos, use some props when shooting. Umbrellas, books, scarves, hats, even violins and acoustic guitars, bring whatever props you can!
4. And the most important point is, go with China-TravelNote. There is no shortage of handsome and beautiful tour leaders with SLR drones, and even the group members are all photography experts.
Conclusion
This is a pristine scenic area with a healthy ecological environment, untouched by human activity. It boasts diverse ethnic customs and a profound cultural heritage, but few people reach the summit or truly understand it. During the chive blossom season, locals often visit the mountain to perform unique folk singing competitions.
