With the arrival of spring, it is time to step outdoors and enjoy the wide relaxed expanse of nature as the landscape is again teeming with vitality and colors after a bleak winter. If you feel like visiting some flower fields, southern Shaanxi definitely has a lot to offer.
Cole flower destinations
1 Xixiang county, Hanzhong city
The 2021 Hanzhong Cole Flower Festival is already underway. As the festival's main site, Xixiang county boasts a large field of cole flowers, a massive stretch of which is usually compared to a golden paradise. There is also an observation platform with a panoramic view of the field and a European-style windmill.
Travel guide: Train-Xi'an South Station → Xixiang Station (Around 5 hours)
Tips: It is most convenient to take a taxi to Xixiang and all the cole flower fields have no entry fee. Besides cole flowers, the cherry blossoms in Cherry Vale of Xixiang County bloom at the same time. Don’t miss it!
2 Yang county, Hanzhong city
Yang county has been famous for its cole flowers since ancient times. The place is known as “the heaven of cole flowers”. Besides, there is also a wheat field here, which creates a unique blend of half-green and half-yellow scenery.
Travel guide: Train-Xi'an North Station → Yangxian West Station (Around 1 hour)
Tips: Except for cole flowers, the pear flowers bloom at the same time in Yang county. Last but not least, you can see the exclusive crested ibises here!
3 Hanyin county, Ankang city
There is a well-proportioned terraced cole flower field in the Fengyan Ancient Terraces. Overlooking the field, villages are scattered among a large rolling field of golden flowers. When gazing upon the scenery, it’s like being in an oil painting!
Travel guide: Train-Xi'an South Station → Hanyin Station (Around 4 hours)
Tips: We recommend that you drive there yourself, as the transportation isn’t very convenient around the terraces.
4 Qishan county, Baoji city
Zaolin town of Qishan county is an ideal spot to see cole flowers, and besides this, Linghui village in Baoji city is also worth a visit for its beautiful country scenery.
Travel guide: Train-Xi'an Station → Caijiapo Station (Around 1 hour 40 minutes)
Yang county in Hanzhong city has been famous for its cole flowers since ancient times. The place is known as “the heaven of cole flowers”.[Photo/Xinhua]
A photo taken on March 2, 2020, shows a refreshing spring scene of tea fields in Hongfu Mountain, Pingli county, Shaanxi province. Apricot flowers and cherry blossoms are in full bloom after a recent rainfall in the Qinba mountainous area.[Photo/Xinhua]
Cherry Blossom
1 Qinglong Temple, Xi’an city
During the annual cherry blossom season, Qinglong Temple will become the liveliest place in Xi’an. It is famous for its diverse species and colors of cherry trees. The cherry blossoms here are low and suitable to take portrait pictures of. Moreover, there will be many people in traditional Hanfu at the temple.
Travel Guide: Metro-Take Line 3 to Qinglong Temple Station (Exit A) → Walk for around 5 minutes
Opening Hours: Every day from 8:30 am to 16:30 pm
Tips: Free of charge. The Cherry Blossom Festival began on March 15. As many people will come to see cherry blossoms, no more than 3,750 visitors can enter the park every day due to the demands of epidemic prevention. If you want to visit it, remember to make appointments online.
2 Gaoxin 2nd Road, Xi’an city
In addition to the Qinglong Temple, Xi’an Gaoxin 2nd Road is also an ideal place to see cherry blossoms.
Travel Guide: Metro-Take Line 6 to Ganjiazhai Station (Exit A) → Walk for around 5 minutes
3 Dafujing village, Xi’an city
There is a protected area for the Tombs of Emperors of the Ming and Qin dynasties near Dafujing village called Shaolingyuan. More than 32.95 acres of cherry blossoms are planted around the site. The cherry blossoms blow in the wind and the whole pink flower field is incredibly picturesque! “Why go to Japan to enjoy cherry blossoms, when Shaolingyuan is just as awe-inspiring”. This influencer’s words could be the highest praise for Dafujing village.
Travel guide: Metro-Take Line 4 to Hangtian Avenue Station (Exit A) →Take Bus 736 to Dafujing Stop → Walk for around 10 minutes. Alternatively, take Bus 25 to Duling West Road Bus Dispatching Stop → Walk for around 15 minutes
4 Xi'an University of Technology
The Qujiang Campus of the Xi'an University of Technology is also a great place to enjoy the top-notch cherry blossoms. The cherry blossom trees are planted on both sides of the road on campus, which is a delight to see.
Travel guide: Metro-Take Line 5 to the Ligongdaqujiangxiaoqu Station (Exit A) → Walk for around 5 minutes
5 Xunyang county, Ankang city
Tired of seeing the pink cherry blossoms? In the Cherry Demonstration Garden in the Duanjiahe town of Xunyang county, a large area of white cherry blossoms is quietly blossoming. At a glance, the white cherry blossoms spreading across the mountain seem like snow-white clouds, which can pacify your mind in an instant.
Travel guide: Train-Xi'an South Station → Xunyang North Station (Around 2 hours)
Tourists and local residents enjoy the 200,000-square-meter garden of peach flowers in full blossom in Chang'an district, Xi'an city, Northwest China's Shaanxi province, March 12, 2018. [Photo/IC]
Peach Blossom destinations
1Wangmang town, Xi’an city
Wangmang Town is located at the northern foot of the Qinling Mountains in the southeast of Chang'an district. There are several places along the way to enjoy flowers, among which Xiaoyu stands as the most prominent. Every spring, over a thousand acres of peach blossoms bloom. The pink peach blossoms, the rolling Qinling Mountains, the stark blue skies, and white clouds form a pastoral picture. If you like peach blossoms, come and explore the fairyland.
Travel guide: Metro-Take Line 2 to Weiqu South Station (Exit D) → Take Bus 741 to Wangmangyuanyi Stop → Walk for around 5 minutes
2 Lantian county, Xi’an city
The peach blossoms of Sanfeng Mountain have once again gone viral on social media! The pink wild peach blossoms are like dancing elves, blooming over the whole mountain. Flakes of pink petals and the undulating Qinling Mountains form a masterpiece of natural art!
Travel guide: Metro-Take Line 5 to the Ligongdaqujiangxiaoqu Station (Exit A) → Walk for around 5 minutes
Tips: In addition to the peach blossoms in March, the alpine azalea, flos sophorae, and peony flowers will bloom in April and May! In my personal opinion, I would like to call Lantian “the County of Flowers”
3 Taoxi Fort, Xi’an city
In March, the peach blossom petals fall into the stream near a certain fort. It looks like the stream transmutes into flowing peach blossoms, which is where the name “Taoxi” originates. (Taoxi, in Chinese pinyin, means “peach blossom stream”). There is a famous Chinese poem that originated from this place: “Peach-blossoms are still smiling in the spring breeze” This March, come to Taoxi Fort to enjoy flowers and poetry.
Travel guide : Metro-Line 2 to Weiqu South Station (Exit B) → Bus 729 to Taoxibao Stop → Walk for around 2 minutes
4 Danfeng county, Shangluo city
In this flowery March, it is time to have a spring outing to visit Peach Blossom Valley! The pink peach blossoms are like girls’ blushing faces, wildly covering the mountain!
Travel guide: Train-Xi'an Station → Danfeng Station (Around 2 hours 30 minutes)
Tips: The Peach Blossom Valley is open all day, and staff members will be available from 9:00 am to 17:00 pm in the valley.
5 Xunyang county, Ankang city
The spring breeze blows across the earth, and the green hills and clear waters complement the peach blossoms. The peach blossoms in Santiaoling of Hengkou town and Lijiatai village of Chengguan town in Xunyang county are in full bloom. These two places are niche, but have their distinct styles.
Travel guide: Train-Xi'an South Station → Ankang Station (Around 3 hours)
6 Liquan county, Xianyang city
The “Beautiful World, Flowery Liquan” event has been going on for almost two weeks now! You can see different sorts of flowers from the beginning of March to the end of June. During the event, there will be various photography, video, essay, and poetry contests. In addition, there are peach blossoms at the foot of Zhongshan Mountain in Jingyang, Xianyang. While you enjoy the flowers of Liquan, you can also spare some time for Jingyang!
Travel guide: Train-Xi'an North Station → Liquan South Station (Around 20 minutes)
