China's Most Beautiful Flower Appreciation Spots | A Hundred Miles of Golden Gallery (With Latest Blooming Periods and Routes)

In March, the world blooms with fragrance,
A perfect time to stroll and admire flowers;
The Xin’an River greens with spring’s embrace,
A golden gallery drifts with floral grace.

Though Wuyuan and Shitan’s rapeseed flowers are beautiful too, the river’s touch makes the landscape gallery a unique highlight for flower viewing.

The Xin’an River Landscape Gallery is located in Shexian County, a renowned national historical and cultural city in China. Stretching about a hundred li, the river is crystal clear, winding through deep mountains and serene valleys, with breathtaking scenery that captivates the heart and soul. “The clear stream cleanses my heart, its hue unmatched by other waters. Pray, Xin’an River, how can your depths be so clear? Men walk in mirrors bright, birds glide through painted screens.” These lines by the Poet Immortal Li Bai capture the natural essence of the Xin’an River’s landscape.

In early March, during this season of blossoming flowers, golden rapeseed flowers carpet the riverbanks. On the left, the rapeseed flowers are neatly spread across the fields, as the Xin’an River flows by—blue sky, white clouds, spring river, sea of flowers, small boats, and folk houses create a scene like a poem or a painting. On the right, the rapeseed flowers stretch all the way to the foothills, dotted here and there with clusters of azaleas. Mountain flowers, tea trees, and peach blossoms evoke a sense of tranquility and faraway peace.

You can wander along this dreamlike landscape gallery, passing through ancient villages with white walls and black tiles—half the journey on foot, half by boat, walking through old villages, watching Mian opera, strolling along the waterfront, resting under a thousand-year-old camphor tree, and soaking in the beauty of blooming flowers and clear waters.

Alternatively, as you sail amidst the lush mountains and clear waters, you’ll feel the river stretch wide, its waters a deep, crystal-clear blue. On both sides, the winding hills overlap in green ridges, each with its own unique shape and posture, a myriad of forms. Dense trees cover the slopes, and along the riverbanks, swaths of fresh, tender yellow spread across the mountains, blending harmoniously with the verdant tea plants and loquat trees. White-walled, black-tiled houses with horse-head walls, typical of southern Anhui, are nestled among them, their reflections shimmering on the water—captured in a frame, it’s nothing less than a vivid, delicate ink painting.

Or simply carry a small bag and stroll along winding paths, enjoying the river view and flowers—it’s incredibly relaxing and laid-back! Take just the right amount of steps with a light heart, walking between the river and the rapeseed flower fields. Breathe in the rich fragrance, listen to the birds whispering nearby, and lose yourself in this peaceful, serene world untouched by worldly strife.

Then, with warm spring sunshine and the faint fragrance of grass, the most enchanting season is just around the corner. Don’t miss out on this beautiful time of year, and don’t let nature’s gifts go to waste. Let’s wander through the landscapes of Xin’an, take a deep breath, and marvel at the wonder of the rapeseed flower sea together~ Hey, friends, shall we make a date?Best Blooming Period: March 10 – Around Qingming Festival

Transportation Guide:

By Bus: Take a bus from Shexian Bus Station to Shendu Port. Buses run every 20 minutes, fare is 8 yuan, and the trip takes about 40 minutes.

By Car: Take the Hangzhou-Huizhou Expressway and get off at the Shexian exit. Turn right at the exit, head toward Beian and Shendu Town. After reaching Shendu Town, take the second exit at the roundabout and drive 800 meters to Shendu Town Pier. At Shendu Port, you can take a boat to tour the landscape gallery.