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Spring is the key to a good year! Starting in February each year, temperatures gradually rise from south to north, and flowers bloom across China: rapeseed blossoms, peach blossoms, apricot blossoms, cherry blossoms, pear blossoms...
After a cold winter with dull and monotonous colors, everyone will go out of their homes to appreciate the colorful spring.
Spring in the north always arrives late. Every April, as the glaciers thaw and life revives, the most distinctive spring flower in the north is undoubtedly the Xing'an azalea. Also known as dazixiang, manshanhong, and azalea, the Xing'an azalea buds through the harsh winter, then blooms in early spring, sometimes even bursting into bloom in the snow. It is the herald of spring in the north.
The flowers of the Xing'an azalea are not very large, only about the size of a coin, with five petals as thin as silkworm wings and seven or eight slender stamens in between. The flowers are mostly pink, but also purple and white. Xing'an azaleas do not grow individually, but grow in clusters and individual pieces, like a tightly knit team, inseparable and unbroken. They bloom first, then the leaves appear. Xing'an azaleas have a long flowering period, vibrant colors, and are easy to survive. They take five or six years to bloom, and then grow only about 10 centimeters per year.
Rhododendrons are found throughout the north, growing in the Greater and Lesser Khingan Mountains and along the shores of volcanic lakes. While all azaleas are rhododendrons, the diverse vegetation and scenery create distinct azalea seas. The Rhododendrons of Khingan typically bloom around May Day and continue to bloom until mid-to-late May, so it's crucial to understand the flowering period and travel strategies for each region.
Photo @ China-TravelNote
Deep within the Greater Khingan Range, the Bila River region is a natural volcanic lava landscape. Repeated eruptions have blanketed the valley with Asia's largest lava plateau, creating a vast expanse of dark volcanic rock that forms a surging sea of stone. Amazingly, within this vast, almost bare rock pond, azaleas and other plants flourish. Even in this light rain, the lava moss appears even more vibrant and beautiful.
The rhododendrons in Zishe, the tall birch forests, the winding forest paths, and the unpretentious natural scenery make people feel comfortable returning to nature.
Dalbin Lake is a national forest park in Hulunbuir City. It is located in the Oroqen Autonomous Banner, in the middle and upper reaches of the Nomin River and Bila River basins. It belongs to the Bila River Forestry Bureau of the Greater Khingan Range Timber Management Bureau of Inner Mongolia. The park has a total area of 22,081 hectares, with a forest coverage rate of 75.3% and rich natural landscapes.
The forest park includes scenic spots such as Dalbinluo, Stone Sea, Shenzhi Gorge, Dalbin Lake, Sifangshan Fields, and Chimney Rock. In the past, people called this area "Dalbinluo," with "Luo" meaning "small lake." Despite its small size, Dalbinluo is a volcanic barrier lake, covering only one square kilometer. Every sunrise, a lingering mist rises from the lake, imbued with a mysterious beauty. Dalbin Lake Park also boasts the only large canyon in the Greater Khingan Range, Shenzhi Gorge, located in the lower reaches of the Bila River. The scenery within the canyon is truly spectacular.
Dalbin Lake National Forest Park covers an area of 15 square kilometers, 5 kilometers from east to west and 2 kilometers from north to south. Its deepest point is over 10 meters. Oval in shape, it was formed when lava from an ancient volcanic eruption blocked a river valley. The lake is surrounded by mountains, one after another. Black and brown shale rocks, with their peculiar peaks and striking textures, are also found, along with colorful flame stones in red, yellow, brown, and green. The lakeside is dotted with unusually jagged rocks, covered in moss, and flowers and plants grow in the cracks between the rocks.
GIF aerial photography @CCTV
Surrounded by dense primeval forest, the lake is dotted with pink and light red water lilies and white water chestnut flowers. Fish occasionally leap from the surface, while pheasants, ospreys, wild geese, black-legged chickens, grouse, woodpeckers, red-crowned cranes, and white swans circle the lake and the trees, earning it the nickname "Natural Park" in the midst of a sea of forests.
Besides Dalbin Lake, the Dalbin Scenic Area also offers several other attractions, including the Lava Rhododendron Forest, where you can walk across the plank path through the flaming lava. There are also attractions like the Divine Finger Gorge and the Stone Sea, but the azaleas are relatively rare there. For those with ample time, we recommend spending two days and one night exploring the area.
Lava Rhododendron Forest
Tips:
Azalea flowering period: 15-20 days, expected from the end of April to early to mid-May.
Ticket price: 80 yuan per person
Transportation: There is no public transportation, so it is best to drive yourself. You can go from Harbin or Hailar
Accommodation: You can stay in Dayangshu Town or Nuomin Farm. You can also choose to stay in the only wooden house hotel in the scenic area, but the rooms are relatively tight.
There are two good places to see volcanic rhododendrons in Wudalianchi. One is the famous Longmen Stone Village scenic spot, and the other is the volcanic lava plateau of Dongjiaodebu Mountain. This place has not been developed into a scenic spot and is a natural volcanic virgin land.
The volcanic azaleas, with their most enchanting colors, gentle eyes, and touching expressions, create a breathtakingly beautiful scene. Walking up the winding plank road, the vibrant colors ahead are eye-opening. Clusters of vibrant crimson blossoms, seemingly swooping from the horizon, are scattered among the rocks. The azaleas are in full bloom, captivating yet proud. Their fresh, refined colors and graceful beauty are truly captivating.
I was truly amazed that such a beautiful flower could be found among such a rugged volcanic rock. Yin and Yang in nature always complement each other; the more contrasting the two, the more they complement each other, creating a truly beautiful scene.
Tips:
time:
The best time to enjoy the flowers is from early May to the 10th of each year.
transportation:
Airplane: You can fly directly to Harbin, Qiqihar, or Heihe airport, and then take a train or bus to the Wudalianchi Scenic Area.
Train: To take the train to Wudalianchi Scenic Area, you must first go to Bei'an Station and then take a bus to the scenic area.
Arxan is a great place to view the Xing'an rhododendrons. Every May when the rhododendrons are in full bloom, a grand "Rhododendron Festival" is held.
Arxan, nestled on a volcanic plateau, boasts abundant geothermal and mineral spring resources. Its health-promoting hot springs and sweet, drinkable mineral springs nourish not only humans but also, to a certain extent, the azaleas. These blossoms, blooming amidst the lingering snow on Arxan's mountain ranges and on river valley glaciers, and radiating their beauty on volcanic lava rocks and among larch trees, create a truly remarkable sight in Arxan in May and a major highlight of spring tourism.
Tips:
time:
The best time to enjoy the flowers is from mid-to-late May to early June every year.
transportation:
Airplane: You can take a direct flight to Hailar, Arxan, or Harbin, and then transfer to a train or bus to reach the scenic area.
Train: Take the train to Arxan, and then take a bus to the scenic area.
Located in the southwest of the Greater Khingan Range and serving as the southern gateway to Hulunbuir City, Zhalantun boasts striking seasonal changes. The frigid north winds, after crossing the Greater Khingan Range, leave the cold, icy snow on the windward side, earning Zhalantun, a city in southern Lingnan, the nickname "Jiangnan of the North" and "Suzhou and Hangzhou beyond the Great Wall." In May, as spring arrives and flowers bloom, azaleas rush to bloom, adding a vibrant lavender hue to the still-bleak, green mountains, signaling the start of tourist season. Therefore, the 2021 Zhalantun Azalea Festival will be held in April and May, inviting countless visitors to admire the vast expanse of azaleas.
From the city of Zhalantun, looking southwest, you can see the fiery red azaleas blooming on the slopes of Cuiping Mountain, creating a stark contrast to the spring mountains. Continue south along the hillside road, passing oak and apricot groves, and farmland. As the terrain rises, the city panorama unfolds. About 1.5 kilometers, after crossing a hillock, you'll find Cuiping Mountain's Azalea Slope. This area is characterized by its high density of azaleas, and the plants are short (about 1 meter tall). Most notably, the mountain is completely covered with azaleas, devoid of tall trees. It's a perfect spot for photography, flower viewing, and social media posts.
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Dajiazi Mountain is 60 km south of Zhalantun City. There are few tourists here, and only some locals come to enjoy the flowers. The hillside is flat.
Tips:
time:
The best time to enjoy the flowers is from late April to early May every year.
transportation:
Airplane: You can fly directly to Qiqihar or Harbin, and then take a bus to
Train: Take the train to Qiqihar, then take a bus to
The Jingpo Lake volcano has erupted three times, with lava flowing from its craters and cascading down the valley, blocking the Mudanjiang River and forming Jingpo Lake, the world's largest alpine barrier lake. The lava flowed through the land, leaving behind a lava plateau. This vibrant sea of azaleas is a dazzling radiance etched through the vicissitudes of time.
The plateau rises and falls, the lava gullies are ravines, and on the lava fields covering more than ten square kilometers, pink flowers casually flaunt their charm, spreading the splendor of the passing years. It is as if a huge plate holds up such a bunch of flowers. This is the unique romance of spring in Jingbo Shalan.
Tips:
time:
The best time to enjoy the flowers is from mid-to-late May to early June every year.
transportation:
Airplane: You can take a direct flight to Hailar, Arxan, or Harbin, and then transfer to a train or bus to reach the scenic area.
Train: Take the train to Arxan, and then take a bus to the scenic area.
