WITH plum blossoms still in full bloom, and peach blossoms and cole flowers coming to life, spring is the time to find the best place to behold flowers.

Peach blossoms in Nyingchi, Tibet

Located in the lower reaches of the Yarlung Zangbo River of the southwestern Tibet Autonomous Region, Nyingchi is blessed with a semi-humid climate and evocative scenery.

Because of the large number of river valleys and alpine gorges, Nyingchi is sometimes referred to as the “Switzerland of Tibet.”

As soon as you set foot in Nyingchi, you will be struck by the well-preserved forests, cypresses that can grow up to 30 meters, and hundreds of rare flowers.

Nyingchi is especially known for its peach blossoms. In March and April, peach blossoms spread all the way across gorges to link the lofty snow-capped mountain peaks. A peach blossom festival will be held April 1.

Cole flowers in Luoping, Yunnan

In February and March, Luoping in Southwest China’s Yunnan Province sees cole flowers bloom across 13,333 hectares of land.

The best place to appreciate the cole flowers is at the Jingji Peak, north of the Luoping county seat. From the peak you can see cole flowers stretching to the horizon like golden blankets, with villages scattered in the surrounding area.

Niujie Village, to the north of the Luoping county seat, is also a must-go area. It’s famous for its terraced fields on which are planted cole flowers, winter wheat and vegetables of various kinds. The rich colors of large patches of plants are a sight for sore eyes.

Plum flowers in Yinzhai, Guizhou

Yinzhai is a 600-year-old village mainly inhabited by the Buyi ethnic minority group in Guiding County, Guizhou. Its natural beauty and Buyi culture have made Yinzhai a magnet for tourists.

When the spring comes, cole flowers, plum blossoms and pear blossoms spread all over hills and along rivers. Covered by white flowers, the hills look like snow-capped mountains. The cole flowers, when viewed from the top of a hill, look like a golden sea.

Every March, the village holds the “golden sea, snow mountain tourism festival.” Tourists from all over the country come to the village to appreciate flowers, enjoy Buyi songs and dances, drink local tea and taste Buyi delicacies. (Deng Hanneng)