Qingyuan Spring Trip Recap (Not Recommended for March-April)

I just took my bestie to Qingyuan last weekend and discovered how incredibly beautiful springtime is here! No need to battle the crowds, just RMB 200+ per person gets you access to a whole sea of rapeseed flowers and hidden waterfalls. Here are some local favorites: 🌸Springtime Exclusives 📍Yingxi Peak Forest Corridor A 10-kilometer golden carpet hidden among the karst peaks and forests! Rapeseed flowers bloom everywhere in March, and rice paddy art starts taking shape in April. Rent a bike and cycle through Huang Hua Town, encountering grazing cattle—ten times more relaxing than any crowded tourist spot. Don't forget to try the firewood chicken in Gong Zheng Village; the crispy rice crust dipped in chicken soup is finger-licking good! 📍Bijia Mountain Flower Goddess Festival Starting March 22nd, travel through a thousand years and meet hundreds of flower goddesses! Follow the flower fairies as they parade around the grand waterfall, tie a red ribbon and make a wish beneath the 208-meter-high Nine-Fold Waterfall. Hanfu enthusiasts, don't miss the free hair-decorating experience. 🎒Packing Light Guide 1️⃣ Sun-protective Sleeves: Double protection for flower field photoshoots and hiking 2️⃣ Foldable Reflector: Soft lighting for your food photos in cave restaurants 🚗Road Trip Itinerary Day 1: Gulong Gorge Rafting → Huang Chuan Three Gorges Cruise → Xile Valley Hot Springs ▪️ Arrive at the rafting spot before 2pm to avoid crowds. Leave your luggage in the car to save RMB 50 on locker fees. ▪️ Choose the evening cruise to see the Beijiang River at dusk, resembling a flowing oil painting. Day 2: Yingxi Peak Forest Cycling → Lianzhou Underground River → Zhou Xin Night Market ▪️ Book a guide for the Underground River in advance. Renting earphones on-site can lead to interference. ▪️ Try the roasted meat bun at the night market, available from 5pm. Double the carbs and fats, double the happiness! 🍗Foodie Must-Tries ▪️ Baiqie Qingyuan Chicken: Crispy skin, tender meat, dipped in ginger and scallion oil. The chicken fat bursts with flavor in your mouth. ▪️ Beijiang Bighead Carp: Freshly caught river fish, best steamed, paired with the owner's homemade chili sauce. ▪️ Lei Cha Porridge: A healthy porridge made with ground tea leaves, perfect for clearing heat and cutting through richness. ⚠️Tips from Experience ▪️ The best time to photograph the rapeseed flower fields is before 9am, with soft light and fewer people. ▪️ There are three flower goddess parades daily; the 11am show is recommended for the best lighting. ▪️ Bring your swimsuit to Xile Valley Hot Springs; buying one there is expensive and the styles are unappealing. ▪️ The Zhou Xin roasted meat sells out by 10am, so set your alarm for 6am if you want to try it. As my bike rolled through the golden sea of flowers, and the steam from the hot springs rose amidst the stars, I suddenly understood why fellow travelers call Qingyuan "Guangdong's Spring Love Letter"—even the wind carries the sweet scent of rapeseed flowers, every frame a scene from a heartwarming movie.✨