The rapeseed flower seas in Lüjiang Village were damaged due to unrestricted access by photography enthusiasts.
With its vast rapeseed fields attracting numerous tourists, Lüjiang has been dubbed the “Northern Shangri-La.” While the influx of visitors has boosted the village's economy, cleaning up litter left behind and protecting the rapeseed flowers have become significant challenges.
Lüjiang Village is situated in the northeastern part of Kuandian Manchu Autonomous County, Dandong, about 140 kilometers from the county seat. Nestled between mountains and water, the village retains an old-world charm, and its expansive rapeseed flower seas are a highlight for tourists. Recognizing the business potential, villagers have opened a variety of agritainment businesses offering lodging, meals, and activities. Farm produce that once fetched low prices is now in high demand.
However, with the surge in visitors, problems have emerged. Cai Qinghai, the village Party secretary, noted that there are only around 20 agritainment venues and guesthouses currently available in the village, with a total capacity to host about 1,500 people per day. But since this year’s May Day holiday, two to three thousand people have been visiting every weekend—far exceeding the village’s reception capacity. “Many visitors come on self-driving tours and, with no place to stay, end up camping in the wild,” said Cai. After feasting, these campers often leave behind scattered beer bottles, beverage containers, plastic bags, and other waste. The village has to assign dedicated personnel daily to clean up the litter left by tourists.
Villager Zhang Dongsheng told reporters that excessive trash is just one issue; trampling of rapeseed flowers also occurs frequently. To extend the flowering season, the village plants rapeseed in stages along the riverbanks at varying elevations—from low to high—sowing seeds three to four times at monthly intervals starting in May. This approach extends the blooming period as late as October. Many tourists, captivated by the sea of yellow flowers, can’t resist taking photos. A small number of them venture into the flower fields, often trampling and flattening many blooms.
The villagers of Lüjiang hope that visitors will respect the natural environment, take their litter with them after camping in the wild, and minimize damage when taking photos among the rapeseed flowers—so that the beauty of Lüjiang can be preserved for years to come.