Live Your Best Lives
Do you remember the food documentaries in the "Searching for Flavor" series? They have comforted the weak, helpless, yet gluttonous souls of migrant workers on so many lonely and helpless nights.
Photo@Documentary "Searching for Flavors in Shunde"
You Xiaoxia has been counting down the days for the next season of great movies to watch while eating! After 645 days, we finally have "Searching for Flavors in Guiyang." This time, Chen Xiaoqing and his team of directors focus on Guiyang, Guizhou, a city in southwestern China known for its spicy, sour, and refreshing flavors.
Picture @ Documentary "Searching for Guiyang" poster
Fragrant chili oil and thick and hot rice tofu hot pot.
Photo@Documentary "Searching for Flavors in Guiyang"
The simple and fragrant Litsea cubeba and the chewy and chewy tofu.
Photo@Documentary "Searching for Flavors in Guiyang"
Sweet and smooth sea buckthorn preserves and soft and delicious bowl-ear cakes.
Photo@Documentary "Searching for Flavors in Guiyang"
Guiyang's mountains and rivers have domesticated food, and food has become a time-space bond connecting Guiyang people with the mountains and rivers.
It started in Guiyang, but it's not just about Guiyang. It's worth mentioning that, in addition to the delicious food, the sea of flowers covering the mountain that flashed across the screen in the program successfully caught You Xiaoxia's attention. Isn't this the Baili Rhododendron in Bijie, Guizhou?!
Photo@Documentary "Searching for Flavors in Guiyang"
Now that we have seen it, let’s talk about this treasure flower species that has been neglected for too long, the azalea, which was almost promoted as the "national flower".
The cherry blossoms in Pingba are about to fall, and the azaleas in Baili are about to reach their peak. Seeing the azaleas in the camera at this time is like watching a live broadcast.
The rhododendrons in Bijie, Guizhou stretch for more than 50 kilometers, covering a total area of 125.8 square kilometers, hence the name "Baili Rhododendron".
Its vast area and high density are considered the "world's largest." With over 40 species representing all five rhododendron subgenera, Baili Rhododendron is truly the "Earth's Ribbon" and the "Azalea Kingdom."
Every year in late March, rhododendrons bloom one after another all over the mountains. Surrounded by a sea of flowers, you will see pink everywhere and be filled with the fragrance of flowers with every breath you take.
You Xiaoxia has thoughtfully included a forecast of the azalea blooming period, so you can enjoy the flowers without stopping!
Generally speaking, the flowering period of rhododendrons is from April to June every year, so why can Baili rhododendrons bloom so early?
This is closely related to Guizhou's altitude. The low altitude, cool and humid climate allows the Baili Rhododendron to follow in the footsteps of the cherry blossoms and catch the last train of spring.
Picture @Photo.net
Guizhou's unique acidic soil is also very suitable for the survival of rhododendrons, giving rise to the magical phenomenon of "different flowers on one tree".
The most rare thing is the colors of a tree, which can reach as many as 7 kinds, including deep red, light yellow, silver, lavender... It is so colorful that it is most appropriate to describe this place as "God's palette".
There is also the thousand-year-old Rhododendron King, which blooms with thousands of flowers and blooms all year round. It is also the largest Rhododendron tree discovered on Earth so far.
In addition to the wide variety, the rhododendrons at Baili Rhododendron are also known for their "primitiveness". All the rhododendrons grow naturally among the mountains, and many of them are over a hundred years old.
Because it is "primitive", it is even more "unbridled", covering the mountains and hills, in clusters and clumps, extending all the way to the horizon.
How can you enjoy such a vast scenic area? Here's a guide to Baili Rhododendron Scenic Area. Baili Rhododendron Scenic Area primarily consists of Pudi, Jinpo, and Yishan Flower Valley.
Jinpo Scenic Area is 22 kilometers away from Qianxi County, about 40 minutes' drive. Due to its lower altitude, the flowering time is about a week earlier than that of Pudi Scenic Area. The main varieties include Rhododendron tatarinowii, Rhododendron arborescens, Rhododendron dewdrop and Rhododendron large white.
Climbing up to the observation deck, you can take photos of the vast sea of flowers covering the rolling hills. Some mountains are bright red, as bright as the morning glow, and there are also mountains covered in snow-white, which is gorgeous and dazzling.
The scenic area includes scenic spots such as Baihuaping, Huameiling, Mayinglin, and Jinpoling. Mayinglin is home to the highest concentration of Maying Rhododendrons within the area. These trees boast tall stature and dense corollas, with some boasting up to 300 flowers. The clusters of blossoms, like balls of blazing fire, burn in the branches, illuminating the sky, the ground, the faces of visitors, and the surrounding mountains.
There are many varieties of rhododendrons in Baihuaping, as well as a giant sculpture of the flower god, a theme park dedicated to the flower god, and a flower god temple. According to legend, every year when the flowers bloom, fairies from heaven secretly come down to earth to appreciate the flowers and sing and dance with the girls and boys among the flowers.
Pudi Scenic Area is about a 15-minute drive from Jinpo Scenic Area. Together with the three smaller flower areas of Baina, Dashui, and Gamu, this area represents the essence of the Baili Rhododendron Scenic Area. In addition to the Ma Ying and Luzhu azaleas, there are also the light red and purple Charming Azalea and the Splendid Azalea.
Picture @Photo.net
The scenic area is awash with rolling hills and endless flower-filled mountains, including scenic spots like Zuijiuniu, Shexiangling, Wucai Road, and Shuhua Peak. Wucai Road boasts a relatively concentrated and diverse selection of azaleas, and during peak bloom, the roadside is lined with a dazzling display of fallen petals, creating a breathtaking sight.
Shuhua Peak is the highest peak in Pudi Scenic Area, where you can overlook all the other peaks. Stepping into the flowers is like entering a dream world.
Relying on the local 100,000 Yishan flowers and hot springs, the Yishan Flower Valley has been transformed into a scenic spot integrating vacation, health preservation, and sightseeing. When the azaleas are in full bloom, the beautiful Yi songs echo through the valley, and nearby young people gather among the flowers to sing and dance, creating a beautiful contrast with the azaleas.
Picture @Photo.net
There are crape myrtles, dahlias, shibazakura roses and other flower varieties planted here, as well as glass suspension bridges, plant mazes, and glass plank roads. There are flowers blooming every month and all year round.
Following the camera, we returned to the Wumeng Grassland. Here, you'll find Guizhou's largest grassland, its highest lake, and stunning scenery like grazing pastures and a sea of clouds. If you're lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of the Buddha's light.
Photo@Documentary "Searching for Flavors in Guiyang"
Meanwhile, azaleas will also make their dazzling debut in April and May. They are expected to be at their best in mid-to-early April, making the Qingming Festival a good time to visit.
Picture @Photo.net
The 100,000 mu of grassland is vast and green, stretching as far as the eye can see. 40,000 mu of dwarf rhododendron forest is scattered among it with brilliant flowers. Herds of cattle, sheep and rhododendrons under the blue sky form a beautiful picture.
Picture @Photo.net
Here you can enjoy the pure spring air and gentle breeze. In early April, the azalea buds gently open, welcoming a sea of flowers all over the mountain.
Picture @Photo.net
The plateau azaleas on the Wumeng Prairie differ from the Baili azaleas in that their blooms are all spherical, as if they've been manually pruned. The main species, including Rhododendron tasselii, Rhododendron siliqua, Rhododendron siliqua, Rhododendron rutaceum, and Rhododendron rustyleaf, cover the hills and ridges, competing for splendor and densely packed to the edge of the mountain.
Don't miss the sunrise and sunset amidst the sea of flowers. As the sun rises, the sea of azalea blossoms gradually becomes clearer. The azaleas swaying in the wind drape a vibrant veil over the rolling hills, and at sunset, the entire grassland is bathed in a golden haze.
When night falls completely, the stars in the sky and the rhododendrons echo each other in the distance. This is a pure scene that is hard to see in the city.
Picture @Photo.net
With China-TravelNote, you don’t have to worry about getting up early and staying up late to travel. We will stay in the scenic area and not miss any moment of the beautiful scenery.
The epidemic has been recurring, and I think what everyone is most worried about is whether they can go out. The latest epidemic prevention policies have been sorted out for everyone.
People coming to or returning from low-risk areas where there are no positive infections in their prefecture-level cities are advised to bring a negative nucleic acid test certificate within 48 hours and a "green code" on their health code. It is also recommended to undergo another nucleic acid test within 48 hours after arriving in Guizhou.
People coming to or returning from low-risk areas but with positive infections in their prefecture-level cities must hold a negative nucleic acid test certificate within 48 hours and have a "green code" on their health code. After arriving in Guizhou, they must be classified and subject to the "three inspections in five days" measures.
There is a song that goes like this: "In the middle of the night, I long for the dawn; in the cold winter, I long for the spring breeze. If I were to wait for the Red Army to arrive, rhododendrons would bloom all over the hilltops." Rhododendrons are red like cinnabar and bright like fire, conveying an optimistic and fearless spirit.
No matter whether you are feeling sad or happy now, when you see these rhododendrons blooming among the mountains, you may feel awe for them, and your mood may be temporarily relieved.
