Xianning Xianyan

Xianning Xianyan

Vast fields of crimson azaleas, lush green grass, herds of cattle grazing freely on the meadows, uniquely shaped rocks, and the expansive blue sky with drifting clouds… This is Xianyan, located at the border between Shouning County and Zhejiang Province, at an altitude of 1,527 meters.

From mid-April to mid-May, Xianyan is at its most beautiful, where you can admire azalea bushes over a meter tall and numerous unique natural landscapes.

The azaleas of Xianyan are quite distinctive—firstly, they are abundant, covering the mountains and dotting the green grass and trees, as well as growing between steep and rugged rocks. Secondly, they grow tall, with the tallest azalea trees reaching over a person’s height, allowing you to hide unseen within the flower clusters. Thirdly, they come in a variety of colors—deep red, pink, light white… It is said that up to five different hues can be seen. Under the bright sun of April and May, standing amidst the sea of flowers under the azure sky is truly a heavenly experience.

The meadows on the mountaintop stretch out as far as the eye can see, dotted with cattle grazing leisurely, evoking the poetic charm of “The sky is vast, the wilderness boundless; when the wind blows low, cattle and sheep appear.” It is said that farmers from the foothills “release their cattle to the high mountains after spring plowing and leave them there for months without returning.” For most of the year, the herds stay cool and graze on these high-altitude pastures, breeding and multiplying—a truly unique sight.

The “unique rocks” on the western mountain ridges. The scattered stones atop the hills are truly marvels of nature, each with its own peculiar shape. Some resemble giant turtles, others look like birds or beasts, some appear to be an old man shedding tears, while others look like a massive dragon lying across the ridge. There are also rocks that seem like a huge boulder from outer space perched atop several clustered stones, supported by just a tiny contact point, making you wonder if a gust of wind might blow it off. Some stand alone among flowers and grasses, graceful as fairies, while others are stacked layer upon layer, forming natural bridges that seem to float in midair…