Live Your Best Lives
I'm afraid this winter won't be sustainable! Are you like You Xiaoxia, stuck in the office, feeling uncomfortable all over, hot with a coat on and cold without it? When will we be able to return to the warm days of spring?
Don't worry! While winter is still lingering in most of our country, some places have already quietly embraced spring. Dedicated traveler Xiaoxia has found an amazing winter-to-spring itinerary. Want to check it out?
According to reports from the front, a full 800,000 mu (approximately 1,000 acres) of golden flowers are expected to be in full bloom by mid-February! This massive sea of rapeseed flowers even set a Guinness World Record in 2002, being certified as the "World's Largest Natural Flower Garden."
The nearby terraced fields, also known as one of the "Seven Greatest Cultural Landscapes of the World," are also undergoing watering season. From winter to spring, they are at their peak beauty! Thousands of enthusiasts flock to witness the dazzling light and stunning sea of clouds.
This is southeastern Yunnan. From February to March this year, two magnificent views will gather together. If you are obsessed with looks, don’t miss it!
Along the way, we will also go to the filming location of "A Bite of China 3", slowly stroll through the streets and alleys, and try the local snacks.
Take a slow stroll through the ancient city, travel back to the Republic of China era, and feel the passage of time.
Get up early in the morning and go to Fuxian Lake to feed the red-billed gulls. In the afternoon, bask in the sun, drink afternoon tea, and spend the day leisurely.
And I'm not exaggerating, either. Reportedly, the product manager has lavishly arranged top-notch accommodations this year! Four days at a four-diamond hotel plus one day at a five-diamond hot spring resort. What? Are you tempted? Why not experience this relaxing springtime adventure for yourself?
A ray of spring in 2022 pauses at 24°31′ north latitude, painting the small town of Luoping a golden hue. Every February and March, 800,000 mu (approximately 1,000 acres) of flower fields burst into bloom, making this the first place in China where rapeseed flowers bloom.
You Xiaoxia has kindly attached this year's forecast for the best time to view the rapeseed flowers in Luoping.
Luoping is blanketed in a boundless sea of golden flowers. Walking through it is like the poem, "I long to find my way through the flowers, deep into the white clouds." The blossoms, nearly a meter tall, transform the area into a golden fairytale. Amidst such beauty, why not get lost for a moment?
A trip to Luoping without visiting the Jinji Peak Cluster is a complete waste. The karst peaks are interspersed among rapeseed fields. In the early morning, a thin mist lingers, embracing the golden sea of flowers, revealing the peaks' peaks.
Looking down from a high place, the golden color that appears and disappears from time to time sparkles in the light of the sky and the shadows of the clouds. Walking into the depths of the flowers, the fragrance of the flowers wraps around your whole body, and the sweetness is refreshing.
Between sunrise and sunset, light and shadow flicker, and the golden color echoes each other. This dreamlike spring pastoral scenery makes people want to take another look and take another photo!
The terraced fields filled with rapeseed flowers have smooth lines like threads, layer by layer and circle by circle, outlining a 3D picture.
Don't worry about getting bored with the monotonous golden color; peach and pear blossoms occasionally dot the landscape, and the varying blooming times create a rich palette of colors. In 2015, Luoping was selected by The Huffington Post as one of the world's eight most colorful places, captivating countless photographers.
Yuanyang not only has beautiful natural scenery, but also rich and colorful cultural customs. It has been rated as "one of the 50 places you must visit in your lifetime."
Seven ethnic groups live here: Dai, Zhuang, Yi, Hani, Miao, Yao, and Han. Yuanyang's most famous terraced fields were largely developed by the Hani people. Over a dozen generations of Hani people toiled year after year, reclaiming the mountains for fields and diverting water for cultivation, carving the towering mountains into layers of terraces.
What's so special about terraced farming? No, no, no. From late November to April, when the Yuanyang Rice Terraces flood, the scenery is breathtaking, a boon for photography enthusiasts and scenic collectors!
During the irrigation period, the terraced fields are like flawless mirrors, reflecting the light of the sky and the shadows of the clouds. Visiting the fields feels like being in a dream.
Waiting for a sunset in Bada, the golden orange afterglow casts a golden glow on the terraced fields.
Or you can wait for a sunrise at Doi Suthep. The morning sun will dispel the morning mist, and the clouds will disperse and gather again. The light and shadow under the Tyndall effect will change rapidly, and the clouds will roll and unfold, like a poem and a picture.
This piece of earth art has been guarded by the Hani people for 1,300 years. Even China National Geographic commented that it is "unmatched by any terraced fields in China and abroad."
As the only agricultural landscape selected as a World Heritage Site, the terraces have more than 3,700 levels, and each level is a wordless history book.
Remember the mushroom house from the TV series "Ask the West"? That's right, it's the hidden paradise of Azheke in Yuanyang, also the best-preserved ancient Hani village in the county.
Climbing the thousand-year-old terraced fields, Azheke stands alone, its mushroom houses, with thatched roofs and earthen walls, carrying a century of history. Many young villagers have moved to the city to make a living, leaving the elderly and children behind to continue their primitive farming life, detached from the world.
If you have enough time, follow the simple locals into the mushroom house, listen to their stories about Hani culture and life, and under the guidance of the skillful grandma, experience the Hani people's straw weaving and cloth dyeing, or go on a light hike in the terraced fields. These are all interesting experiences!
Maitreya, which has the same name as Buddha, gives people a dignified and solemn feeling, but it is actually full of artistic atmosphere.
Inspired by the red wine culture (wine bottles) and the fire culture (flames) of the Yi Axi people, this art castle, built with staggered red bricks, replaces traditional square windows with triangular wall holes. As time goes by, sunlight shines in from all directions, and the changing light and shadow exude a strong literary and artistic atmosphere everywhere.
The Turkish-style exterior quickly made this place a popular spot for romantic photos. Whether standing against the wall or sitting on the floor, every angle can easily create a great photo.
Don't want the usual tourist photos? Can't capture the quality you're looking for? Don't worry, in this recognizable art town, there's a hotel that offers travel photography services—the Mile East Wind Rhythm MGallery Collection Hotel.
The five red brick buildings are surrounded by mountains and water, facing the kaleidoscope. The whole building looks like a red castle that breaks out of the ground and grows freely, with full visual impact!
The artistic and luxurious space offers a distinctly artistic feel, creating an art gallery experience rather than a hotel atmosphere. The bowl-shaped arrival pavilion, the intertwining curvilinear atrium, and the chess-like lawn promise countless beautiful photos from your stay!
"A hotel is half a city, and half a city is hot springs." A hot spring bath is a great choice for a trip to Mile! Relax in a natural hot spring pool, surrounded by greenery and shrouded in steam, and all your fatigue will vanish.
If you get bored soaking, head to the physiotherapy area for a foot massage, or relax in the massage area while watching a movie. This routine will definitely leave you feeling refreshed for the next day!
Picture @Photo.net
Despite being mentioned numerous times on "A Bite of China," Jianshui remains under the radar. Its braised tofu, steamed chicken, grass sprout banquet, and cross-bridge rice noodles are all beloved delicacies. Furthermore, it's a treasure trove of ancient city history spanning over 1,200 years, boasting numerous scenic spots inspired by the Republican era.
While historical objects often fade away, Jianshui's unique retro wooden train has been preserved. Jianshui has reopened a 13-kilometer section of meter-gauge railway, connecting surrounding historical sites.
The carriage is decorated with retro wall lamps and old electric fans that sway. The train moves forward slowly, passing Shuanglong Bridge, Xianghui Bridge, the old station building, etc.
A few minutes' walk from the final stop brings you to Tuanshan Ancient Village. The Luxi River flowing through the village, the vast expanses of paddy fields and vegetable plots, and the simple atmosphere of life transport you away from modern society and back to the days of the Republic of China, when people wore long gowns and cheongsams.
"Lin'an is gold, Dali is silver." The ancient city of Lin'an in Jianshui, which has been compared with Dali since ancient times, has lost its former glory, but the original style of the old city has been preserved intact, attracting countless tourists with stories accumulated over the years.
The local specialty, Jianshui braised tofu, has left countless foodies salivating. Programs like "A Bite of China" and "12 Tastes of Feng Wei" have also been filmed here.
The above picture is from "A Bite of China 3"
Walking from Chaoyang Tower at the east gate to Dabanjing at the west gate, from the towering city walls to the ordinary people's homes, the ancient city still protects the comfort of generations with the warmth of a thousand years of prosperity.
Picture @Xiaoyuer
When visiting Fuxian Lake, the Ming Dynasty traveler Xu Xiake remarked, "Dian's mountains are filled with earth, so many rivers flow into the sea, and the currents are often turbid, but only Fuxian Lake is the clearest." The unpolluted waters are crystal clear, and the plateau breeze sweeps across the surface, revealing a vast expanse of emerald blue.
Picture @Photo.net
Take a tour around the lake in Luchong, watch the swaying reeds and the white waves on the lake, stroll on the beach, climb Bijia Mountain, and overlook Fuxian Lake. When you are tired, have afternoon tea with a lake view. Winter afternoons should be so pleasant!
Don’t miss the red-billed gulls when you come to Fuxian Lake. You can see them flying freely in Moon Bay Wetland Park, Time Plank Road and Gushan Island.
Every year from November to December, the red-billed gulls that grow up in Siberia travel thousands of miles to Yunnan to spend the winter and fly away in March of the following year. If you miss it, you will have to wait another year!
If you want to feed the seagulls, it's best to come between 8 and 9 a.m. The seagulls are full of energy in the morning, flying freely and interacting with you, but once they've had their fill, they'll be more indifferent to you.
Confused about what red-billed gulls eat? Check out You Xiaoxia's science lesson! Red-billed gulls primarily feed on fish, shrimp, insects, and aquatic plants. Human food is just a supplement, so it's recommended to buy special gull food for feeding them. Steamed buns and bread are difficult for them to digest.
In order to take your travel experience to the next level this year, our product manager has optimized and upgraded the [Spring in Southeast Yunnan] route!
Our goal is to ensure that tourists have a good meal, good sleep, and good fun! So, how can an ordinary budget hotel be enough? After a long journey, a comfortable resting environment is truly important.
So we planned a four-night stay at a Four Diamond hotel and a one-night stay at a Five Diamond hotel. The hotel is conveniently located in the city center, featuring simple yet elegant decor and well-equipped rooms. This Four Diamond hotel offers the ultimate in Five Diamond service, thoughtful arrangements, and a good night's sleep.
Whether you're looking for more privacy to enjoy a relaxing time with friends and family, or simply want to meet new friends from around the world, don't worry! We have two packages to choose from: a small tour for 3-6 people or a classic tour for 7-20 people. No more choosing!
The spring of 2022 has quietly arrived. Why not spend 6 days wandering in the sea of flowers with You Xiaoxia, bathing in the warm sunshine, and going to the south to find the poetry of spring!
