The Baili Rhododendron Scenic Area in Bijie City is located at the junction of Dafang County and Qianxi City, Bijie City, Guizhou Province. It is a national 5A-level tourist scenic area. The total area of the scenic area is more than 600 square kilometers. Among them, the natural rhododendron forest belt is 1 to 3 kilometers wide and stretches for more than 50 kilometers. It is the largest, most species-rich and most charming primitive rhododendron forest in China, enjoying the reputation of "Ribbon of the Earth, Garden of the World". The scenic area has 41 species of rhododendrons, including Rhododendron delavayi, Rhododendron decorum, Rhododendron hyperythrum, Rhododendron irroratum, etc., accounting for all of the 5 subgenera of rhododendrons in the world. The flowers have various colors and are extremely gorgeous. In addition, there are some ethnic minority villages of the Yi and Miao nationalities in the scenic area. The architectural style is unique and full of ethnic customs.
History and Culture
The Baili Rhododendron Scenic Area has a long history, and the area where it is located is a settlement of ethnic minorities such as the Yi and Miao nationalities. These ethnic minorities here have rich cultural traditions and unique folk customs. Traditional festivals such as the Torch Festival and the Yi New Year of the Yi nationality, and the Huajiao Festival of the Miao nationality are important manifestations of the local ethnic culture. During the festivals, people are dressed in their finest clothes, singing and dancing, and it is extremely lively.
In history, this rhododendron forest has been regarded as a sacred place by the local ethnic minorities. There are descriptions and praises of the rhododendron forest in the ancient songs of the Yi nationality. The Yi people believe that the rhododendron is a symbol of good luck. With the passage of time, the beauty of the Baili Rhododendron has gradually become known to the outside world and has become a famous tourist destination in Guizhou and even across the country.
Main Attractions
Pudi Scenic Area
The Pudi Scenic Area is one of the core scenic areas of the Baili Rhododendron. The rhododendron forest here is vast in area and rich in flower species, with many species such as Rhododendron delavayi and Rhododendron agastum. During the flowering season every year, the rhododendrons all over the mountains and plains bloom in competition. They are as red as fire, as pink as the rosy clouds, and as white as snow, forming a colorful sea of flowers. There is also an observation deck in the scenic area. Tourists can climb up the observation deck to overlook the entire sea of flowers and enjoy the magnificent scenery. In addition, there is a Yi ethnic style town in the Pudi Scenic Area, where tourists can experience the traditional culture and folk customs of the Yi nationality.
Jinpo Scenic Area
The Jinpo Scenic Area is also the essence of the Baili Rhododendron. The rhododendrons here are famous for their beautiful tree shapes and large flowers. Rhododendron decorum is one of the characteristic species in the Jinpo Scenic Area. The flowers are as white as snow, with a diameter of about 20 centimeters. The Soma Flower Bridge in the scenic area spans across the rhododendron forest. When tourists walk on the bridge, they seem to be in the sea of flowers. There are also multiple flower-viewing spots and leisure areas in the Jinpo Scenic Area, providing a good viewing and resting environment for tourists.
Yishanhuagugu Scenic Area
The Yishanhuagugu Scenic Area attracts many tourists with its unique rural scenery and rich flower landscapes. In addition to rhododendrons, large areas of lavender, verbena and other flowers are also planted in the scenic area, presenting different color landscapes in different seasons. There are facilities such as a parent-child paradise and a camping base in the scenic area, which are suitable for family outings. At the same time, the cultural elements of the Yi nationality are also retained here, and tourists can experience the traditional lifestyle of the Yi nationality.
Delicacies
Yi-style Tuotuo Meat
Yi-style Tuotuo Meat is a characteristic delicacy of the Yi nationality around the Baili Rhododendron Scenic Area. High-quality pork is selected and cut into pieces, then cooked in a pot without adding too many seasonings, maintaining the original flavor of the pork. When eating, hold the pieces of meat by hand and dip them in the special chili powder. The meat is tender and fresh, with a mellow taste, full of rich ethnic flavor.
Miao-style Sour Soup Fish
Miao-style Sour Soup Fish is a traditional delicacy of the Miao nationality. It is made with fresh local fish as the main ingredient, paired with the unique sour soup of the Miao nationality. The sour soup is fermented from ingredients such as tomatoes, chili peppers, and litsea cubeba, with a sour and spicy taste. The fish is tender and the sour soup is appetizing, which is a delicacy not to be missed.
Bijie Tangyuan
Bijie Tangyuan is a traditional snack in the Bijie area. The fillings of the tangyuan are rich and diverse, with flavors such as sweet bean paste, rose, and sesame. The skin of the tangyuan is soft and glutinous, and the filling is sweet. It has a delicate taste. You can taste Bijie Tangyuan in the restaurants and snack stalls around the Baili Rhododendron Scenic Area.
Entrance Tickets
The entrance ticket price of the Baili Rhododendron Scenic Area is 130 yuan per person during the peak season (from mid-March to early May), and 50 yuan per person during the off-season (from mid-May to early March of the following year). The price of the sightseeing bus ticket is 35 yuan per person (round trip). The combined ticket price for the Pudi Scenic Area and the Jinpo Scenic Area is 130 yuan per person in the peak season and 50 yuan per person in the off-season. The scenic area may sometimes offer discounted tickets according to different activities or policies. For example, students, the elderly, and military personnel can enjoy corresponding ticket discounts. For specific information, please pay attention to the official website of the scenic area or relevant ticketing platforms.
Opening Hours
The Baili Rhododendron Scenic Area is open throughout the year. During the peak season (from mid-March to early May), the opening hours are from 07:00 to 19:00 (ticket sales and admission stop at 18:00). During the off-season (from mid-May to early March of the following year), the opening hours are from 08:30 to 17:30 (ticket sales and admission stop at 17:00). During legal holidays or peak tourist seasons, the scenic area may adjust the opening hours according to the actual situation. Tourists can query the official information of the scenic area in advance and arrange their itinerary reasonably.
Tour Routes
Recommended tour routes: If you have enough time, it is recommended to spend two days visiting. On the first day, go to the Pudi Scenic Area in the morning. Take a sightseeing bus to visit each scenic spot, climb up the observation deck to enjoy the panoramic view of the sea of flowers. Have lunch in the scenic area or around it, and continue to visit the Pudi Scenic Area in the afternoon to deeply experience the Yi ethnic style. On the second day, go to the Jinpo Scenic Area in the morning, admire the characteristic flower species such as Rhododendron decorum, and take a stroll on the Soma Flower Bridge. After lunch, go to the Yishanhuagugu Scenic Area in the afternoon to enjoy the rural flower landscape and experience parent-child activities or camping. If you are short of time, you can choose a one-day tour of the Pudi Scenic Area and the Jinpo Scenic Area, visiting the Pudi Scenic Area in the morning and the Jinpo Scenic Area in the afternoon.
Transportation
- Public transportation: You can take a special line bus to Baili Rhododendron from Bijie urban area. The journey takes about 1.5 hours and the ticket price is about 30 yuan. There are also buses directly to the Baili Rhododendron Scenic Area from Guiyang Jinyang Bus Station. The journey takes about 3 hours and the ticket price is about 80 yuan.
- Self-driving: Starting from Bijie urban area, drive along the Hangrui Expressway, get off the expressway at the Baili Rhododendron Toll Station, and follow the road signs to the scenic area. The whole journey is about 70 kilometers, and the driving time is about 1 hour. Starting from Guiyang, passing through Guiqian Expressway, Qianda Expressway, etc., the whole journey is about 150 kilometers, and the driving time is about 2.5 hours.
- Tourist chartered car: You can book a tourist chartered car service at travel agencies or hotels in Bijie or Guiyang. It is convenient to arrange the itinerary freely, and the cost depends on the vehicle type and itinerary.
Must-visit Attractions
- Pudi Scenic Area: One of the core scenic areas, with a large area of rhododendron forest and a variety of flower species. There is an observation deck to overlook the sea of flowers, and there is also a Yi ethnic style town, where you can deeply experience the ethnic culture. The scenic area has a vast area and rich viewing areas.
- Jinpo Scenic Area: Characterized by rhododendrons with beautiful tree shapes and large flowers, such as Rhododendron decorum. The Soma Flower Bridge is a highlight of the scenic area. Walking on it makes you feel like you are in the sea of flowers, providing an excellent viewing experience.
- Yishanhuagugu Scenic Area: In addition to rhododendrons, there are many other kinds of flowers. The rural scenery is beautiful, and there are facilities such as a parent-child paradise and a camping base, which is suitable for family travel and allows you to experience the traditional lifestyle of the Yi nationality.
Tour Tips
- It is recommended to go during the flowering season from mid-March to early May, when you can enjoy the most gorgeous sea of rhododendrons. Check the weather forecast in advance and choose a sunny day for the trip to get better shooting effects.
- The scenic area is large, so it is recommended to wear comfortable sports shoes or flat shoes for easy long-time walking.
- Bring a camera or mobile phone and prepare sufficient memory and battery power to record the beautiful scenery of the sea of flowers.
- If you want to camp in the scenic area, prepare camping equipment such as tents and sleeping bags in advance and abide by the camping regulations of the scenic area.
- When tasting local delicacies, pay attention to choosing regular restaurants to ensure food hygiene.
Notes
- Take good care of the environment of the scenic area. Do not spit or litter, and put the garbage into the designated trash cans.
- When admiring the rhododendrons, do not pick the flowers casually to avoid damaging the ecological environment.
- When taking the sightseeing bus, follow the arrangements of the staff, fasten your seat belt, and do not lean out of the window.
- Respect the culture and customs of the local ethnic minorities. If you enter the ethnic minority villages, pay attention to your words and deeds.
- In case of an emergency, you can call the emergency rescue hotline of the scenic area or ask the nearby staff for help.