Hundred Flowers Azalea

Hundred Flowers Azalea

The azaleas here stretch over 100 li, hence the name "Hundred Flowers Azalea." Every March and April, the scenic area hosts an Azalea Festival when the mountains are blanketed in red, white, yellow, and purple blooms. Visiting during this time, you can not only admire the vibrant competition of azaleas but also catch the Flower-Inserting Festival and Flower-Dancing Slope of the Yi and Miao ethnic groups.

The Hundred Flowers Azalea Scenic Area is located at the border of Qianxi and Dafang counties in Guizhou Province, home to azalea species that make up 4 of the world’s 5 subgenera.

The flowers come in a variety of colors, including bright red, pink, purple, golden yellow, light yellow, snow white, pale white, and light green. The most rare sight is a single tree bearing different colored blooms—up to seven different colors on one tree. The area is hailed as the "world’s largest natural garden."

Attraction Introduction

Baihua Ping (Hundred Flowers Flat)

Baihua Ping boasts a rich variety of colorful azaleas. Legend has it that during the blooming season, fairies descend from heaven to enjoy the flowers and sing and dance with the young people among the blossoms. As a result, it has become the ideal venue for the Yi’s Flower-Inserting Festival and the Miao’s Flower-Dancing Slope each year.

Jinji Qing (Golden Pheasant Valley)

This area features tall, densely growing azaleas where pink and charming azaleas, yellow dew azaleas, large white azaleas, and deep red horsehair azaleas intertwine, attracting golden pheasants to nest and breed here. The golden pheasant is a Class II protected animal in China. If you’re lucky, you might spot one—but never harm or startle it.

Huamei Ling (Thrush Ridge)

Legend has it that there was once a golden thrush here—the best singer and the most frequent songster. The scientific name for the thrush is the white-cheeked laughingthrush, known for its melodious, clear calls and being the “song king” among birds. When it sings, other birds around dare not chirp, which is why it’s called Thrush Ridge.

Lansheng Feng (Viewing Victory Peak)

Standing atop Lansheng Feng, with the mountain breeze blowing, the red blooms look like rolling fire dragons or soaring flames. The horsehair azaleas are the most vividly red—blazing, eye-catching, deep crimson through the heart, bright red, watery red, light red, flesh red, pink—all forming a dazzling sea of red. The white blooms resemble rolling sea clouds or shifting landscapes, offering breathtaking beauty.

Maying Lin (Horsehair Azalea Forest)

The horsehair azalea trees are tall with dense flower crowns, some bearing two to three hundred blossoms. Flower clusters blaze like fiery balls on the branches, coloring the sky, earth, visitors’ faces, and the surrounding mountains. The horsehair azalea is also called "horsehair flower" or "suomae flower," said to be a sacred blossom formed from the blood of a maiden named Suomae.

Jinpo Ling (Golden Slope Ridge)

The flowers on Jinpo Ling are exceptionally beautiful—some mountains are covered in bright red, as stunning as morning glow, vibrant and radiant; others are snow white, glistening like silver, dazzlingly lovely; some burst into a profusion of multicolored blooms. When evening glow shines upon them, the fiery hues dominate, thus earning the name "Golden Slope Ridge."

Longchang Jiu Yi (Longchang Nine Posts)

In the 17th year of the Hongwu reign (1384), Yi politician Shexiang endured humiliation to travel to the capital and accuse Ma Ye of provoking trouble, abusing power, and creating unrest. To protect the Ming dynasty, Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang had Ma Ye apologize to the Shuixi region (now covering Dafang, Qianxi, Bijie, parts of Yunnan and Sichuan). When asked how she wished to be rewarded, Shexiang offered to build nine courier stations, connecting the southwestern frontier with the Central Plains—a total of 568 li of ancient post roads, making an indelible contribution to the development of the region. It is now known as the Ancient Post Road.

Red Army Battle Site

In February 1936, the Second and Sixth Armies of the Chinese Workers’ and Peasants’ Red Army campaigned in northwestern Guizhou. They crossed the Yachi River, captured Qianxi, Dading (now Dafang), and Bijie, establishing revolutionary governments in the Qian-Da-Bi region and carrying out activities such as the "Red Expansion" movement and treating wounded soldiers. Among the Yi people, there is a legend: “When the azaleas bloom, the Red Army brothers return.”

Shuhua Feng (Flower-Counting Peak)

Shuhua Feng is the best spot to view the flowers, showcasing the scale and grandeur of the Hundred Flowers Azalea. Try counting how many flower peaks and varieties you can see in the distance.

Luoying Tai (Petal-Falling Terrace)

The azalea is the flower of the people, the flower of heroes, the flower of the Red Army—and for the Yi people, it is a sacred blossom, known as "Suomae Flower." Here, azalea petals fall onto the pathways, scattering beautifully across the land, creating a stunning sight. Hence, it is called Petal-Falling Terrace.

Shexiang Ling (Shexiang Ridge)

Shexiang Ling is where Shexiang and Aicui fell in love. One March, Shexiang from the Guduo Mountain Village in Shuixi (now in Gulin County, Sichuan) heard that Aicui, the chieftain, had set up a flower gathering at Yunluo Mountain, inviting youths from all directions for horse racing and archery contests. Aicui took notice of Shexiang. Later, Shexiang took charge of Shuixi’s governance, opening official routes connecting to the Central Plains and establishing nine courier stations from Longchang (now Xiuwen County) to Bijie. Shexiang’s historical achievements have earned her praise as a Yi female politician and a heroine who safeguarded national unity and ethnic solidarity.

Zui Jiu Niu (Drunken Nine Oxen)

Drunken Nine Oxen is one of the most evocative scenic spots in the Pudi area. The name originates from a touching legend. According to the *History of the Southern Barbarians*, in the 17th year of the Hongwu reign during the Ming Dynasty, Lady She Xiang, the Tusi ruler of Shuixi, presented nine Shuixi oxen as tribute to Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang to help maintain peace in China’s southwestern frontier. However, when the oxen reached this spot, they were captivated by the vibrant azaleas and refused to go any further, eventually becoming "drunk" and lying down in the azalea forest. After Lady She Xiang reported this to Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang, he suggested naming the place “Drunken Nine Oxen.” And so, the name was born.

Colorful Road

There are five paths leading through the flower fields. Later, people noticed that during the peak blooming season, the petals falling on these five roads created a breathtakingly beautiful scene, prompting the renaming of the “Five-Forked Road” to “Colorful Road.” This area features a particularly rich and diverse collection of azalea varieties.

Zhijia Alu Sacred Mountain

Also known as Jiulong Mountain, Zhijia Alu Sacred Mountain is the divine mountain of the Yi people’s king, Zhijia Alu. A local legend tells of a time when five holes suddenly opened in the sky, unleashing floods that submerged the earth. Zhijia Alu quickly tried to plug the holes, working tirelessly for three years. Though he managed to seal them, the floodwaters had already risen to the heavens. Determined to fix the situation, he decided to use his divine whip to drive countless mountains to fill the gaps. For nine long years, without rest—day and night—he drove the mountains forward. Exhausted, he lacked even the strength to open his eyes and fell asleep at the foot of this very mountain. Witnessing his weary slumber, the deity Cejugzu took pity on him and had his divine whip taken away, leaving behind an ordinary one instead. When Zhijia Alu awoke after three years, he tried whipping the ground, but the whip held no divine power. And so, the mountain remained where it was. To honor him, people later named the mountain Zhijia Alu Mountain.

Yuntai Ridge

Strolling along the bluestone path through the azalea groves, you’ll be greeted by a constant, dynamic sea of flowers—tall and short, dense and scattered—that flit past you like walking amidst colorful clouds. Hence the name Yuntai Ridge, or “Cloud Terrace Ridge.”

Moving Mountains Lake

Moving Mountains Lake is like a jade-green pearl inlaid in the southern part of the Hundred Miles Azalea Scenic Area. With over 400 acres of shimmering blue waters and gently winding surfaces, it nestles close to the azalea forests of Lily City. As the saying goes, “Mountains lack spirit without water; water is the mountain’s eye, its soft bosom—the most soul-stirring gift of nature.” Moving Mountains Lake is a masterpiece within the Hundred Miles Azalea Scenic Area. Formed by the convergence of clear streams, the lake is embraced by mountains, which in turn are cradled by the water. The lake’s emerald surface caresses the mountains, while the surrounding peaks divide the lake into gentle curves—soft, tender, and serene. In spring, flowers bloom all around; in summer, vast greenery flourishes; in late autumn, forests are painted in layers of color; and in deep winter, the landscape is draped in pristine white.

Midi River

The Midi River is a small tributary of the Wu River system. Flowing from high mountains into deep valleys, the river undergoes several dramatic descents. One notable section features a three-tiered waterfall spanning just 60 meters, with a total drop of 40 meters. The river interacts dynamically with the rocks—sometimes cascading over stone, other times vanishing into mountain crevices—creating a variety of karst wonders such as High Stone Dam, Stone Pig Trough, Natural Bridge, and Flower Bottom Rock. The area’s lush ecological vegetation fosters a thriving environment. Along the 21.9-kilometer stretch of the rocky riverbanks, you’ll find not only primeval azalea forests but also rare and precious ancient plants. Highlights include a millennium-old mulberry tree, known as China’s Number One Mulberry, with a trunk diameter of 3.25 meters and a height of over 40 meters; an imperial-granted ginkgo that forms a forest on its own, with a canopy covering over 600 square meters despite being over 600 years old; ancient camphor trees requiring four people to encircle; wild osmanthus trees with trunks 2.2 meters thick; and wild bayberry trees with 1.8-meter trunks. The Hundred Miles Azalea area before you unfolds like a natural landscape painting—ancient trees towering above, hidden treasures scattered throughout, birds singing in the tranquil mountains, and flowers blooming in every season.

Transportation

From Guiyang to Qianxi County, the distance is about 120 kilometers, taking roughly three and a half hours by car, with fares ranging from 15–20 RMB per person. Taking a taxi costs approximately 150 RMB. From Qianxi County to the scenic area’s Jinpo Township, there are an additional 27 kilometers. Daily buses depart from the county bus station to this area, with minibus fares at 5–10 RMB and minibuses at 20 RMB per vehicle.

Food · Accommodation · Shopping

Qianxi County offers a wide range of accommodation options, including the Shuixi Hotel, Hongyan Hotel, Liancheng Hotel, and Xinyu Grand Hotel, where standard rooms range from 80–200 RMB. Guesthouses are more affordable, priced at 10–20 RMB per person, with many small lodgings available near the passenger transport station.

Local delicacies include tea snacks, sticky rice wrapped tofu, and grilled skillet dishes. Specialty tourist products feature stone and tree-root bonsai, root carvings, batik, and embroidery.

Special Tips

1. Since the azalea blooming period is relatively short, it’s recommended to check the official scenic area website or call ahead to confirm the flowering schedule for the year. 2. When taking a bus from Dafang to Pudi, please note that the entrance to the Hundred Miles Azalea Scenic Area is located about 5 kilometers before reaching Pudi. Be sure to inform the driver in advance to let you off at the scenic area entrance, otherwise they may assume you’re going all the way to Pudi.

Address: Pudi Township, Hundred Miles Azalea Scenic Area, Bijie City, Guizhou Province

Phone: 0857-5681162, 0857-4666999

9:00-18:00

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