MANY people like to travel across the country in search of rapeseed flowers in spring. In fact, you don’t need to travel that far for the spectacular yellow bloom. There are many places in Guangdong Province that offer stunning views. The following are some recommended spots near Shenzhen.

    Hongshan Village, Huadu

    Located at the foot of Wangzi Mountain Forest Park, Hongshan Village, in Guangzhou’s Huadu District, is known as “the most beautiful village in Guangdong Province.”

    The village’s rapeseed flower farms were established to attract visitors and produce rapeseed oil. Much of the farmland had been paddy fields, which were adjacent to the provincial-level Wangzi Mountain Forest Park. Apart from taking photos of rapeseed flowers, you can also explore Wangzi Mountain, which covers an area of 32 square kilometers.

    Legend goes that whoever was able to find a cave in the mountain would have a prince born into their family in future generations.

    Farm products, such as vegetables, carrots and pickles, are very popular with visitors. Among the best sellers is shanshui tofu, which is on the list of things to try for most visitors.

    Transport: Drive to Huadu via Guangzhou-Shenzhen Expressway, Beijing-Hong Kong-Macao Expressway, Huancheng Expressway, Airport Expressway, Daguang Expressway and Sandong Boulevard.

    Yingxiang Ecological Park, Foshan

    A rapeseed flower festival is ongoing at Yingxiang Ecological Park in Foshan, a central city in Guangdong Province.

    The rapeseed flower fields, covering an area of about 25 hectares, have four different themes — Spring Flowers, Flower Terraces, Lake Flowers and Alice’s Wonderland.

    A 1,000-meter-long hiking track and more than 10 observation platforms were built in the park for visitors to have a bird’s-eye view over the flowers. In the park, there are also more than 20 types of other flowers, various windmills and cattle. It’s ideal for a weekend getaway in spring.

    Recommended local delicacies include thick rice noodles and milk pudding.

    Transport: Drive to Foshan via Guangzhou-Shenzhen Expressway, Huancheng Expressway, Guangzhou-Foshan Expressway and Foshan Boulevard.

    Xihe Village, Conghua

    Located only three hours away from Shenzhen by car, Conghua, a district of Guangzhou, is a place that may meet all your flower cravings. Besides the well-known Flower Sea in Shimen Gorge, the Tianshi Cherry Blossom Base is another ideal place to see rapeseed flowers. What makes the base outstanding from the other rapeseed flower fields is that the rapeseed flowers, covering an area of 47 hectares, are grown right next to the cherry blossom trees. They blend naturally into the cherry blossoms, which cover an area of 2,000 hectares, making the area a veritable wonderland of flowers.

    Conghua is also known for its hot springs.

    Transport: Drive to Xiangshui Gorge from Shenzhen via Guangzhou-Shenzhen Expressway, Guangzhou Airport Expressway, Jiebei Expressway and No. 105 national highway.

    Qiaotou, Dongguan

    Located in neighboring Dongguan, Qiaotou is a small town with beautiful natural resources, romantic flowers and tasty food.

    Spring is the best season to see rapeseed flowers, which are grown near Lianhu Lake. Covering an area of 20 hectares, the rapeseed flower farm turns into a yellow sea every February. There are also more than 3,000 sunflowers growing around the rapeseed flowers.

    In summer, it is also an ideal place to see lotuses. The most famous local delicacy is lamb. A local “lamb meal” features 28 different lamb dishes. Other recommended dishes include rice noodles and roast goose.

    Transport: Drive to Qiaotou via Guangzhou-Shenzhen Expressway and No. 105 national highway.

    (Wang Yuanyuan)