Jianchuan to Maxiang Highway, a romantic encounter with a floral event

I had long heard about the rhododendrons that blanket the mountains along the road from Madeng in Jianchuan County to Xiangtu, but never had the chance to go. This weekend, I invited a group of colleagues for an impromptu trip. We headed to Jianchuan from Diannan via the highway, first stopping at Sangling Village to see the blooming fringe trees. Next to the village is a clear Dragon Pool, surrounded by several tall century-old fringe trees. It was the peak of their blooming season, and the delicate white flowers fell like snowflakes between the small bridges and flowing water, full of charm and interest. No scenery is as good as a delicious meal, so after taking photos, we immediately rushed to Liyuan Sandaocai, where colleagues who had arrived earlier had already ordered local chicken, clear water radish, and flower heart potatoes. After a hearty meal, we headed straight for Madeng. Leaving Diannan towards Lanping, it took an hour's drive to reach Madeng Town. After confirming the road with the locals, we entered the Maxiang Highway. After a few kilometers of gravel road, we were on the smooth mountain asphalt road, winding up the mountain. The rhododendrons by the road were blooming as expected, with more flowers the higher we went. Large patches of rhododendrons were interspersed among the high mountain pastures, with herds of cattle and sheep grazing among the flowers, and brightly dressed Yi girls dancing, giving a direct visual experience of the pastoral idyll described by poets right before our eyes.