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When talking about Yunnan, many people will think of its rich and colorful landscapes, the diverse culture of multi-ethnic groups, and the delicious food.
But when it comes to Yunnan flowers, most people's knowledge still remains at the super flower market - Dounan Flower Market.
In fact, Yunnan's flowers are even more stunning in nature! As a senior product manager for Yunnan, I've selected some of the most representative flower-viewing spots to bring you Yunnan's year-round flower viewing recommendations.
Northwest Yunnan (Diqing, Lijiang, Dali) has complex road conditions, so it is recommended to charter a car or join a local tour group; Luoping and Puzhehei are accessible by high-speed rail.
In high-altitude areas, you should pay attention to protecting against wind, cold and ultraviolet rays. It is recommended to wear three layers of clothing (quick-drying close-fitting, warm middle layer, windproof outer shell), wear a hat, bring sunscreen, and bring an oxygen tank if you are worried about altitude sickness.
The flowering period is greatly affected by the climate, so please consult one week before your trip to confirm the flowering status.
If time is limited, we recommend the Luoping rapeseed blossoms (the largest) and the Wuliangshan cherry blossoms (winter only). For other seasons, you can choose according to your interests.
Jingmai Mountain in Lancang County, Pu'er City, boasts not only thousand-year-old tea trees but also delicate pink winter cherry blossoms. In January, the cherry blossoms quietly begin to bloom, defying the lingering chill of winter.
You can stroll along the Dapingzhang Ancient Tea Forest Trail, weaving through the ancient villages on Jingmai Mountain. The paths shaded by ancient tea trees are quiet and elegant, while the cherry blossoms sway and rain down romantic petals, creating a natural oil painting. The romance of early spring is intoxicating. If you're lucky, you might even witness a stunning sunrise and sea of clouds.
Location: Jingmai Mountain, Lancang County, Pu'er City
Flowering period: early January to early February
Recommended viewing spots for sunrise and sea of clouds:
Jingmai Mountain Beigui Coffee Warehouse, a petite environment with a good view and many people
At the Golden Summit Pagoda, you can also see the pagoda, with a wider view and no obstructions.
Between February and March, you must visit Luoping County, Qujing City, to see the rapeseed blossoms! The karst cone-shaped hills here resemble isolated islands, floating amidst a sea of 800,000 mu (approximately 1,000 hectares) of rapeseed blossoms. A gentle breeze sways the golden blossoms, like the ebb and flow of ocean waves.
The most unmissable thing to do in Luoping is watching the sunrise over the Jinji Peaks. The sky is a golden pink, and the peaks are shrouded in morning mist, like a mysterious veil. Standing on the observation deck, you can take in the dreamy scenery that resembles a traditional Chinese painting.
There is also the unique screw field, which looks like a whirlpool in the sea. The circular terraced fields burst into life in the spring, golden and green, making it a great place to check in and take photos.
Location: Luoping County, Qujing City
Flowering period: mid-February to early March
Note: The paths between the flower fields are narrow, so be careful while taking photos to avoid falling.
The peach blossoms of Derong along the Jinsha River in Derong County are a newly discovered secret spot for flower viewing. Although located in Sichuan Province, the most convenient way to get there is from Shangri-La, Yunnan.
Tens of thousands of acres of wild peach blossoms grow in the canyon, with countless century-old trees stretching for more than ten kilometers. The area is sparsely populated, beautiful, and low in commercialization, making it a wonderful experience. During peak bloom, Tibetan-style dwellings nestle amidst the sea of blossoms, creating an even more secluded and ethereal atmosphere.
Location: Along the Jinsha River in Derong County
Flowering period: late March to mid-April
Qianhu Mountain Wind is located in the south of Shangri-La City. It is said that it got its name because there are nearly a thousand lakes of various sizes on the mountain. It is the area with the densest concentration of alpine lakes in Yunnan.
Around June, the shores of Qianhu Mountain are covered in azaleas, with a variety of yellow, red, and white flowers blooming. The large, fragrant blossoms, along with the surrounding snow-capped mountains, are reflected in the clear water, creating a breathtaking beauty. Light-colored clothing is recommended for photos, especially a brightly colored scarf.
Location: Tuanjie Village, Xiaozhongdian Town, Shangri-La City
Flowering period: late May to late June
Haba Flower Sea is the richest flower sea in the Shangri-La region, with over 200 species of azaleas scattered across the Haba Snow Mountain. Starting from Haba Village, a gentle hike up the mountain reveals a variety of azaleas at varying altitudes. Combined with the lush forests and meadows nearby and the snow-capped mountains in the distance, it's a visual feast.
Location: Haba Village, Sanba Naxi Township, Shangri-La City
Flowering period: early May to early June
Niru is a strange place for most people, and you might just be hearing about it for the first time. It's a hidden gem in Yunnan, located in the heart of the Three Parallel Rivers. Many areas are currently only accessible on foot, and because of this, the beauty here possesses a natural, untouched wildness.
Niru has a very high forest coverage rate, with diverse landscapes such as glaciers and snow-capped peaks, caves and rivers, and virgin forests. The spruce and forest fir in the mountains reach the sky. In late spring and early summer, a wide variety of rhododendrons bloom at different altitudes, like a fairyland.
Location: Niru Village, Luoji Township, Shangri-La City
Flowering period: early May to mid-June
TV shows and variety shows like "Eternal Love" and "Where Are We Going, Dad?" were all filmed in Puzhehei. Walking into Puzhehei in midsummer is like diving into the kingdom of lotus.
Before bloom, the lake is covered in layers of lotus leaves, creating a refreshing sight. When in bloom, white and pink intersperse the green, swaying gracefully in the breeze and wafting a delicate fragrance. Wander among the lotus leaves on a boat, wandering into the depths of the lotus blossoms, and enjoy summer as it should be.
Location: Puzhehei Scenic Area, Qiubei County, Wenshan Prefecture
Flowering period: mid-July to late August
"Water lily", also known as seaweed flower, grows in water, blooms at sunrise and withers at sunset.
Every July and August, long stems sprout from the water's surface, revealing pure white flowers. Combined with the clear waters of Lugu Lake, these flowers resemble floating clouds, leading to the saying, "Yunnan's clouds not only float in the sky, but also on the water." Enjoy a leisurely ride on a pig trough boat, drifting slowly across the lake, for a close-up, relaxing experience.
Location: Lugu Lake, Ninglang County, Lijiang City
Flowering period: July to August
In the depths of winter, while much of China is shrouded in cold, the winter cherry blossoms of Wuliang Mountain in Dali, Yunnan, are already in full bloom, marking the earliest arrival of spring. Over 2,000 acres of tea plantations are ablaze with blossoms, blending green and pink, making them even more stunning from aerial photography.
Location: Wuliang Mountain Cherry Blossom Valley, Nanjian County, Dali Prefecture
Flowering period: early to late December
