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Rapeseed flowers, a familiar sight, might seem unremarkable individually, but when vast fields of them bloom simultaneously, they create a completely different spectacle. It's as if God has poured pure golden ink across the plains and mountains, blending seamlessly with the surrounding grasslands, lakes, mountains, and villages. The flowers captivate the eye constantly, and many travel thousands of miles to witness their unique beauty.
Rapeseed flowers in my country are mainly divided into two categories: winter rapeseed flowers and spring rapeseed flowers. Because the temperature has a great influence on the sowing of rapeseed flowers, the planting time of rapeseed flowers in different places varies greatly. In addition, the flowering period of rapeseed flowers itself is relatively long, so rapeseed flowers bloom from early February to the end of July every year.
I grew up in southern China and work in the northwest. My passion for photography has led me to photograph numerous rapeseed blossoms in both Jiangnan and Northwest China. I prefer to use the terms "graceful" and "bold" to describe the contrast between the Jiangnan and Northwest rapeseed blossoms. In March, the rapeseed blossoms of Jiangnan, particularly in Wuyuan, begin to bloom. Vast fields of golden rapeseed blossoms spread across verdant mountains and clear waters, creating a beautiful spring scene against the backdrop of the whitewashed walls and black-tiled Hui-style houses.
In July, the rapeseed blossoms of Northwest China, especially in Menyuan, stretch for dozens of kilometers, covering hundreds of thousands of acres. Compared to the graceful rapeseed blossoms of the Jiangnan region, they are even more striking, vast and boundless, like a golden sea. This time, let's take a closer look at the bold rapeseed blossoms of Northwest China.
Northwest is a concept with a relatively broad geographical meaning. This guide mainly involves the two provinces of Qinghai and Gansu. These two provinces are geographically close and have convenient transportation. During our travels, we often combine these two provinces to travel together. Starting from Lanzhou, the transportation hub in central China, passing through Xining, crossing the Qilian Mountains, and heading west along the Hexi Corridor to Dunhuang, then crossing the Qaidam Basin eastward to the shores of Qinghai Lake, and finally returning to Lanzhou. If there is still time, go to appreciate the Tibetan area of Gannan and feel the perfect combination of scenery and humanities.
The journey was filled with breathtaking natural scenery and rich cultural history, but the rapeseed flowers along the route were a highlight of the trip. The most attractive flowers in Qinghai and Gansu are found in five areas: Menyuan, Qinghai Lake, Qilian, Biandukou, and Zhagana.
Some people think rapeseed flowers are everywhere, but when you visit Menyuan, it's not the flowers themselves you're looking at, but the sheer awe of seeing thousands of acres of rapeseed flowers blanketing the landscape in golden glory. Standing on a commanding vantage point, overlooking the boundless sea of rapeseed flowers, with the towering Qilian Mountains in the background, lush green barley fields, ancient mosques, and scattered villages, the scene is breathtakingly beautiful.
By the end of June, the rapeseed flowers have already begun to sprout bright yellow heads, but it is not yet time for large-scale blooms. The rapeseed flower season officially begins in early July, with large fields of rapeseed flowers beginning to bloom from around July 5th to 25th, with the peak flowering period being around July 10th to 20th.
Mid-July is also the perfect time for photographers to capture the spectacular rapeseed blossoms. To capture these magnificent fields, it's crucial to choose the right location to avoid wasting this stunning scenery. The following three locations are ideal for capturing the Menyuan rapeseed fields.
Yuanshan Flower Viewing Platform
Located approximately 22 kilometers from Menyuan County, this is a prime spot for viewing rapeseed flowers, within walking distance of Qingshizui Town. Due to the concentration of rapeseed fields here, most tourists choose to view the flowers here. Yuanshan, a small, isolated hill amidst the sea of rapeseed flowers, offers steps leading directly to the summit observation deck, where you can admire the panoramic views of the "land art" of rapeseed flowers and barley fields. Admission is 60 yuan per person.
Daban Mountain
Located at the junction of Datong and Menyuan counties in Qinghai Province, Daban Mountain is a key transportation route from Qinghai to Gansu. It's one of the three best spots for viewing rapeseed flowers in Menyuan, approximately 30 kilometers from Haomen Town. The viewing platform is a large parking lot, so be sure not to park your car on the roadside. The nearby Daban Mountain Tunnel, at its time of construction, was the highest-altitude road tunnel in Asia.
Flower Sea Fragrance Bath
This scenic spot is located at the junction of the flower sea and grass sea in Sujiwan Village, Sujitan Township, Menyuan County, 18 kilometers from the county seat. The Qingke Highway, a dedicated tourist route, runs through the scenic area. This newly constructed scenic area in 2011 is known for its "vast sea of flowers." A pavilion nestles amidst the flowers, and hot air balloon rides are available within the scenic area, making it a relaxing and scenic spot embodying the idyllic countryside. Admission is 40 yuan per person.
1. Menyuan rapeseed fields, many places are above 3,000 meters above sea level, some tourists may have some altitude sickness, those who are not in good physical condition should take precautions in advance.
2. Menyuan is also very cool in July, with temperatures ranging from 10-20 degrees Celsius throughout the day. If it rains, the lowest temperature will be below 10 degrees Celsius. Please keep warm when enjoying the rapeseed flowers.
3. Menyuan is a high-altitude area, so please pay attention to sun protection and UV protection throughout the year, especially in the summer of July.
Imagine the perfect combination of blue sky, white clouds, snow-capped mountains, azure lake, and rape blossoms. This is the magnificent sight you'll encounter at Qinghai Lake during rape blossom season.
The rapeseed flowers at Qinghai Lake are primarily for viewing, and since they are sown in batches, their blooming period is longer than in other areas. The blooms last from June to October each year, allowing many visitors to enjoy the stunning scenery of the sacred highland lake and the sea of rapeseed blossoms.
In recent years, to boost tourism and extend the rapeseed bloom period, farmers near Qinghai Lake have adopted alternate planting seasons. This isn't for harvest, but rather to ensure visitors can enjoy the blossoms even during the off-season. Rapeseed blossoms can be seen from around the Dragon Boat Festival every year until the end of National Day. Of course, to experience the largest rapeseed bloom, early July to mid-August is the most recommended time.
Qinghai Lake rapeseed cultivation is concentrated along the eastern half of National Highway 109, south of Qinghai Lake. The highest concentration is located centered on the Erlangjian Scenic Area, extending eastwards along the 10-mile stretch of Qinghai Lake. Photography is possible along Highway 109, with the Qilian Snow Mountains in the background, Qinghai Lake in the middle, and rapeseed flowers in the foreground. You can also enter the rapeseed fields, which belong to local residents, and a fee of around 10-20 yuan is charged.
1. There is heavy traffic on National Highway 109, and vehicles are traveling at high speeds. Vehicles cannot be parked arbitrarily. You must park in a suitable parking lot before getting off to take photos. Be careful when crossing the road or taking photos on the roadside.
2. The Qinghai Lake area is about 3,200 meters above sea level. It is recommended that you do not get too excited when visiting. Avoid strenuous exercise such as jumping and running to allow your body to adapt first.
3. The temperature difference in Qinghai Lake is very large in summer. The temperature is lower on rainy days or at sunrise and sunset. Therefore, you should prepare enough warm clothes when visiting Qinghai Lake even in summer. Of course, because the ultraviolet rays are strong at high altitudes, you must also do enough sun protection.
Tianjing Qilian, known as the "Little Switzerland of the East", has an outstanding landscape in itself. If it is embellished with rape flowers, it will naturally be the icing on the cake.
Qilian is nestled deep within the Qilian Mountains. Most vehicles traveling to Qilian require a back-roads approach. A trip that's not convenient for tourists can lead them to miss this scenic spot, which I find quite a shame. To experience the most stunning scenery in Qilian, one must ascend Zhuoer Mountain, home to a 360-degree, all-natural viewing platform. Thanks to tourism development, visitors can easily ascend to the highest point of Zhuoer Mountain via scenic shuttle buses and a plank road. From the Zhuoer Mountain viewing platform, the view is breathtaking, with scenery everywhere. To the north lies the Danxia landform, to the south lies the Niuxin Snow Mountain, to the west lies the entire Qilian County, with the Babao River flowing through. To the east, a vibrant expanse of golden rapeseed fields and emerald green barley fields.
Because Qilian is located in the hinterland of the Qilian Mountains and the temperature is lower than that in Menyuan, the rapeseed flower season will be about a week later than Menyuan, blooming around July 10, and the best flowering period is around July 15 to 25.
Zhuoer Mountain Scenic Area offers the best vantage points for photographing. It's best to plan a half-day visit to Zhuoer Mountain, and if you arrive early, you can catch the sunrise. The entrance fee is 60 yuan, and the bus ticket is 20 yuan. Both the entrance fee and the bus ticket must be purchased together.
This mainly refers to the rapeseed flowers in the area north of Biandukou in Minle County, Zhangye City, Gansu Province.
Biandukou, at an altitude of over 3,500 meters, connects the Qilian Mountains in the south and Minle in the north. Its strategic location and steep mountains have made it a battleground for military strategists since ancient times and a crucial passage for the Shang people. The southern route of the ancient Silk Road passed through here, from Qinghai to Gansu and on to the Western Regions. Ascending to the Biandukou Observation Deck, the breathtaking grandeur and striking contrast of colors are breathtaking.
Rapeseed flowers begin to bloom in early July, enter peak flowering period in mid-July, and the flowering period will last until early August.
After driving over the Qilian Mountains and exiting Biandukou, there is a Biandukou Ecological Leisure and Tourism Area 30 kilometers away from Minle County. There is a large parking lot on the side of National Highway 227, and you can walk to the observation deck to overlook the entire golden countryside.
Now we come to Gannan, a place where Tibetan Buddhism and natural scenery are perfectly integrated. Perhaps many people are unaware of the rapeseed flowers in Gannan. After all, the unique cultural charm of this place is enough to make a special trip for it. But it must be said that in July, many places in Gannan also have very delicate rapeseed flower landscapes. In my opinion, the rapeseed flowers here seem to have a flavor of Jiangnan rapeseed flowers, more graceful and gentle than those in Qinghai. This is especially true in Zhagana, known as the "Little Jiangnan of Gansu." The blooming rapeseed flowers in Zhagana are the icing on the cake of this fairyland. Although the area is not large, it is enough.
Zhagana is located in a mountainous area with relatively low temperatures. The flowering time is generally around July 10, and the peak flowering period begins in mid-July and lasts until early August.
The rapeseed flowers in Zhagana are not widely distributed, so not all viewing platforms offer a view. We recommend visiting Yeri Village, the neighboring village of Zhagana. About 100 meters along the main road past Dari Village, there's a viewing platform from which you can capture the sunrise over Zhagana. In July, the rapeseed fields are in the foreground, while the Zhagana Stone City and steep cliffs are in the background, creating a truly spectacular sight. The distance from Zhagana to the Yeri Village viewing platform is approximately 2 kilometers, accessible on foot or by chartered car.
1. Most people in the Gannan Tibetan area believe in Tibetan Buddhism, and there are many customs and taboos in their daily lives. You should do your homework before going and respect local customs and habits.
2. Gannan has an average altitude of about 3,000 meters. It has a plateau climate with large temperature differences and thin air. You need to pay attention to altitude sickness and add or remove clothes in time to avoid catching a cold.
The Northwest is really beautiful, and it is even more beautiful when rape flowers bloom. If you have a special liking for rape flowers, you must come to the Northwest when rape flowers bloom. The Northwest in July will bloom the most beautiful scenery for you.
