Going to Fuyang Mountains to See Azaleas in Full Bloom

A Personal Experience of the Azalea Sea at Yuntai Mountain in Fuyang Date: May 9, 2025 Weather: Sunny with gentle mountain breezes Dawn: Knocking on the Ancient Village's Door Just as the sky began to lighten, I drove toward Dongqiao Town in Fuyang. My navigation was set to Dawu Village, an ancient settlement hidden among the folds of mountains. Stone walls and dark-tiled roofs were built along the mountainside, with winding bluestone paths leading into the mist, and even the carved window lattices were steeped in the warmth of ages. The aroma of home cooking wafted from a small shop at the village entrance, where the shopkeeper lifted the bamboo steamer lid and served me a bowl of fresh bamboo shoots with shredded pork noodles: "You should head up early, the flowers are in full bloom now!" With the hot soup warming my body, I stuffed two bottles of mineral water and several rice cakes into my backpack, then followed a few scattered tourists toward the mountain path. Climbing: Seeking That Touch of Red Among the Greenery The journey began on a gentle wooden boardwalk, with water dancing over rocks in the stream, bamboo groves rustling, and occasional glimpses of pale yellow Disporum plants, but no sign of azaleas. A young woman in our group couldn't help muttering, "Did we come too late?" The guide smiled and waved: "Almost there, just around this bend." After crossing a stone bridge, the steps suddenly became steep, with the zigzagging path of "Hero's Slope" leaving us increasingly breathless. Just as I was leaning against a rock face to catch my breath, exclamations came from ahead—looking up, I saw waves of crimson flowing along the mountain ridge, like vermilion paint spilled across the horizon. Panorama: A Spring Feast on the Cliff Reaching Jiaozi Rock at an elevation of 500 meters, ten thousand acres of mountain azaleas were blooming exuberantly. Wild rhododendrons rooted in cliff crevices, their rough trunks twisted like dragons, branches adorned with flowers as red as fire and purple as sunset clouds, trembling in the mountain breeze. Among the flowers were enchanted visitors: young women in traditional Hanfu gowns twirling their water sleeves, creating a charming interplay with the flower shadows; photography enthusiasts lying on rocks, their lenses chasing patches of light; even a Corgi dog that had climbed up with its owner wore a flower garland, its tail wagging like a dandelion. Most impressive was the "Azalea King," with a three-meter-high crown like an umbrella, its petals translucent in the sunlight, casting shadows on the moss like scattered gold pieces. Detour: A Stone Fortress Where Time Stands Still Taking a wrong turn on the way down, I stumbled upon an unexpected delight—Yuntai Stone Fortress. The stone walls, weathered by wind and rain, exuded an ancient simplicity. A wooden door stood half-closed, moss grew around an old well, and a bamboo winnowing basket leaned against a stone mill, as if someone had pressed pause on time itself. The guesthouse owner warmly invited me in and offered a bowl of homemade wild berry wine: "Mr. Mao Dun once stayed here and called our village 'a living Tiangong Kaiwu'..." As dusk fell, smoke rose from the stone fortress, and the distant sea of azaleas gradually merged into the blue-black mountain shadows, with only a few crimson clusters remaining, like forgotten fragments of sunset. Complete Guide to Fuyang Yuntai Mountain Azalea Sea Secret Flower-Viewing Spots 1. Yuntai Mountain Core Area - Features: Hundred-year-old wild azaleas growing freely, with red and purple intertwining like flames across the ridges, most spectacular around Jiaozi Rock. - Route: Dawu Village entrance → Fuxing Valley boardwalk → Hero's Slope → Jiaozi Rock (about 3 hours total, first half gentle, second half steep). - Hidden surprise: Watch for forks in the path when descending to visit Yuntai Stone Fortress, feel the texture of stone walls, and hear villagers tell stories of the ancient settlement. 2. Jiuyang Ping Wild Route - Highlights: Less-visited purple azalea colonies; after rain, mist flows through the flowers creating a fairyland effect, perfect for misty artistic photography. - Route: Start from Langjia Wu, pass through the stone Great Wall to Tangfeng Peak, about 4 hours total; recommended to go with companions. 3. Floating Cloud Ridge Sunrise Viewpoint - Spectacle: Climb before dawn to see the sea of clouds rolling between the azalea fields at sunrise; check weather forecasts in advance and bring headlamps. Transportation and Accommodation Suggestions - Self-driving: About 1.5 hours from western Hangzhou; navigate to "Dawu Village Parking Lot" (free); arrive before 7:30 AM on weekends to avoid congestion. - Public transportation: Take Metro Line 6 to Fuyang Bus Station, transfer to bus route 2301 to Dongqiao Town, then a 10-minute taxi to Dawu Village. - Accommodation options: - Mountain-top camping: Simple tents at Golden Peak (120 yuan/tent), sleep under the stars, bring warm jackets (night temperatures are low). - Village guesthouses: "Yuntai Mountain Residence" in Dawu Village (180 yuan/night), renovated wooden houses; the owner's firewood-cooked chicken soup is rich and fragrant. - Local cuisine: - Must-try wild fern shoots stir-fried with cured meat, crisp tender shoots with savory meat; gray soup rice dumplings made with ash-soaked glutinous rice wrapped around red bean filling, soft and sweet, 3 yuan each at the market. Practical Tips 1. Bloom information: Best viewing period is mid-to-late April through mid-May, with peak bloom around April 25-May 10; rain can extend the flowering period. 2. Equipment checklist: Non-slip hiking shoes (some sections have loose rocks), windproof jacket (large temperature differences at the summit), hiking poles (rentable at village shops, 10 yuan each), sun hat. 3. Crowd avoidance: Weekends are busy; recommend weekday mornings for hiking, avoiding the 10:00 AM-2:00 PM peak; limited supplies at the summit, so bring your own snacks. 4. Photography tips: - Portrait shots: Choose solid-colored flower backgrounds, use large apertures for bokeh to highlight the subject and flower textures. - Landscape shots: The eastern cliff of Jiaozi Rock offers the best position; use wide-angle lenses to capture the layers of flower fields and distant mountains; morning or evening light is softer, producing richer colors. - Note: Some areas are ecological protection zones where drones are prohibited; aerial photography requires advance permission from scenic area management. Stories Beyond the Mountain Flowers At Yuntai Mountain, there's more than just stunning flower displays. When you meet porters, listen to the legend of the "Azalea King": thirty years ago, a wildfire ravaged the mountain, but that old azalea alone was reborn from the scorched earth, now with gnarled branches and cascading blooms. As Yang Wanli wrote, "How do they weep dew and cry red, blooming just when the cuckoo sings?" This mountain's vibrant display is nature's tribute to resilience.