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March 18, 2015

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Home » City specials » Hangzhou

Rapeseed flowers paint rural areas yellow

By Wu Huixin | March 18, 2015, Wednesday | Print Edition

IN the 1950s, rapeseed oil became the country’s main edible oil, which in return encouraged farmers to grow rape flowers. Although other edible oils are now available in supermarkets, many Chinese still prefer rapeseed oil rather.

Farmers often plant them on small plots and ridges between fields because they are easy to cultivate. In other areas the flowers are a main cash crop and the yellow flowers cover fields and hill slopes, creating lovely scenery when the flowers bloom in the spring.

Shanghai Daily recommends four places near Hangzhou where a sea of yellow rape flowers provide a nice opportunity for a stroll on a sunny day.

Eight Trigram Field, Hangzhou

The 10-hectare field is octagon-shaped, contains different-colored crops and is surrounded by a moat. It is also a scenic spot dotted with peach and pear trees.

The field is divided into eight trigrams, which is a tai chi symbol used in Taoist cosmology to represent the fundamental principles of reality.

The Eight Trigram Field dates to the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279) when the royal court enjoyed a lavish lifestyle in Hangzhou. To show the emperor was sharing the hardships endured by locals, the then royal court carved out this octagonal field at the foot of Fenghuang Hill.

At this time of year the field is covered with rape flowers, creating a carpet of vibrant yellow.

 

How to get there: Shanghai-Kunming Expressway — Hangzhou-Ningbo Expressway — Zhonghe Elevated Road

Xiazhu Lake Wetland, Deqing

Xiazhu Lake Wetland is one of the largest wetlands in southern China. Located in the middle of Deqing, the lake boasts more than 600 islets featuring rare wildlife species such as the crested ibis, a species on the verge of extinction in China.

Some of the islets have been developed for tourism. Boat rides are available since the wetland is crisscrossed by more than 1,000 rivers. The golden rape flowers are popular at this time of year.

There’s also a teahouse and observatory allowing visitors to rest.

The local restaurants are known for fish dishes.

 

How to get there: Shanghai-Kunming Expressway — Shanghai-Jiaxing-Huzhou Expressway — S09 Expressway

Huihang Ancient Road

Dating back to the Tang Dynasty (AD 618-907), this 11-kilometer-long mountain road was once the main path connecting Hangzhou and Huizhou (present-day Huangshan in Anhui Province). Merchants used the road to trade a variety of goods.

Although the road is no longer in use, it offers unique scenery comprising lofty trees, creeks, valleys, waterfalls, quirky stones and precious herbs that attract hikers today.

Hiking along the beautiful road almost gives the impression of walking into a Chinese ink painting. Backpackers consider it one of the best hiking routes in the country.

The road starts from Maxiao Town in Lin’an County, continues to Tianmu Mountain Range and ends in Yellow Mountain. Nowadays, roadside villages and terraced slopes are shrouded with rape flowers making for a memorable hike.

 

How to get there: Shanghai-Kunming Expressway — Hangzhou-Ningbo Expressway — Hangzhou-Rui’an Expressway

Xuling Village, Jiande

Xuling dates back more than 3,000 years and was named after Wu Zixu, a statesman from the Wu Kingdom during the Spring and Autumn Period (770-476 BC) who passed by this mountainous village.

It has long been a hotspot for shutterbugs by virtue of its picturesque scenery. Black-roofed and white-wall houses are in a valley surrounded by mountains with terraced fields.

In spring, villagers grow rape flowers and dozens of peach trees on the terraced fields and ridges in between. The land seemingly turns into layered yellow carpets with some pink blotches from the peach blossoms.

It’s often misty in the hills and terraced fields in the morning and on rainy days, giving the appearance of a mysterious wonderland. This ambience lures photographers year round. Early morning is recommended as the best time to take photos.

Family-run guest houses cater to at least 100 people and serve homemade rice wine and cuisine.

Xuling is not a one-season village as sunflowers take over in summer and chrysanthemums in autumn.

 

How to get there: Shanghai-Kunming Expressway — Hangzhou-Jinhua-Quzhou Expressway — Changchun-Shenzhen Expressway — Hangzhou-Xin’anjiang-Jingdezhen Expressway

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