Purple Romance Under the Roof of Guizhou! Axilisi Jiucaiping Guide

🌄 Complete Guide to Jiucaiping, Guizhou! Chase a Purple Romance at 2,900 Meters in the Clouds

Who understands, family! The moment I was awakened by the sea of clouds at Jiucaiping in the early morning, I immediately engraved "life is worth it" into my DNA! As a flower-chasing fanatic, this trip to Hezhang, Guizhou, completely refreshed my understanding of a "fairyland"✨

🌼 First, distinguish! Don’t go to the wrong “Big or Small Jiucaiping”

Many people get confused the first time they come, but both have their own charm:

- Big Jiucaiping (Axilisi Jiucaiping): The star of this trip! The world's largest wild chive flower reserve, with the main peak at 2,777 meters. The core attraction is the vast purple sea of flowers covering the mountainside, definitely the top choice for flower viewing.
- Small Jiucaiping: Located in Zhushi Township, with the main peak at 2,900.6 meters, it is the true "Roof of Guizhou." There is a stone forest at the summit, more suitable for hiking enthusiasts who want to challenge themselves with high-altitude views.

📅 Flower Season Alert! Miss it and wait a year

From mid to late August until the end of September! During this time, Big Jiucaiping sees tens of thousands of wild chive flowers blooming together, the purple sea of flowers stretching to the horizon, paired with white windmills and blue skies with white clouds. Every shot looks like a French movie scene; calling it the "Provence of the East" is no exaggeration🌊

🚗 How to Choose Transportation & Entrance?

- East Gate (Preferred): Open all year round, just navigate to "Axilisi Jiucaiping (East Gate)." Most visitors enter here; transportation is convenient and facilities are complete.
- West Gate: Open only in peak season (March to October), navigate to "Axilisi Jiucaiping (West Gate)." You can park at the mountain top service area, suitable for those wanting to avoid the East Gate morning rush, but you still need to take a sightseeing bus or small train to the core scenic area.

💰 Cost Details! Money-saving Tips

- Tickets: 45 RMB per person if bought on-site, only 22 RMB if purchased online in advance, and students get half price! A great deal, don’t foolishly buy on-site.
- East Gate Transportation:
- Sightseeing Bus: 25 RMB one way, 50 RMB round trip
- Cableway: 40 RMB one way, 80 RMB round trip
- West Gate Transportation: From entrance to Caishi Road is 3.3 KM, from Caishi Road to the 2,777-meter peak is 3.5 KM. You can take a sightseeing bus or small train as needed.

📸 Recommended Routes & Must-Visit Photo Spots

Highly recommend the East Gate route: take the sightseeing bus up and cableway down, saving energy and enjoying different views!

1. Core Area Tour: After taking the sightseeing bus up, hike 20 minutes to the circular plank road; the cableway upper station is at the edge of the core area, exit the cableway and walk clockwise on the plank road for a smooth experience.
2. Area Guide:
- Area A (Blue): Most visitors, easy plank road, a leisurely 2-hour walk is enough.
- Area B (Red): My private treasure! Walk west from Sifang Pavilion, fewer people and wild scenery, denser flower sea. Wearing a white dress or light-colored clothes for silhouette shots is breathtaking.
- Area C (Yellow): Far from the entrance, scenery similar to Area A, can skip if short on time.
3. Must-Photograph Spots:
- Flower Sea Viewing Platform: 360° unobstructed views of the flower sea and windmill group
- Sea of Clouds Corridor: Early morning 6-7 AM, shoot silhouettes in the mist for stunning shots
- Sunset Windmills: After 5 PM, soft light, full cinematic vibe

🏡 Accommodation & 🍲 Food Recommendations

- Accommodation:
- Want to shoot sunrise and sea of clouds: choose mountain top tents, book in advance! But temperature difference is big, bring a thick jacket.
- For comfort: stay in Hezhang County, many cost-effective hotels, recommend "Hezhang Yelang Hotel."
- Experience ethnic style: Yi ethnic homestays around the scenic area, serving authentic farmhouse dishes.
- Food:
- Stir-fried Chives with Eggs: local specialty, made with fresh chive flowers, fragrant and tender!
- Yi-style Tuotuo Meat: hearty meat dish, perfect with dipping sauce.
- Buckwheat Cake: healthy whole grain, eat with honey, sweet and soft.
- ⚠️ Few and expensive dining options inside the scenic area, remember to bring snacks and water.

💡 Helpful Tips

1. Clothing: The mountain top is high altitude with big temperature differences between morning and night. Even in summer, bring a light jacket or windbreaker; UV rays are strong, so bring a sun hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen!
2. Altitude Sickness: Over 2,000 meters altitude, avoid strenuous exercise. If prone to altitude sickness, bring an oxygen bottle.
3. Time: Scenic area open 09:00-17:30, last entry at 17:00, don’t be late! Scenic area phone: 0857-3227089, call anytime if needed.
4. Environmental Protection: The wild flower sea is precious, do not pick flowers, and take your trash with you~

This summer, don’t go to crowded trendy spots! Come to Axilisi Jiucaiping, at 2,777 meters high, and immerse yourself in this romantic purple sea of flowers~