I'm back from Liupanshui, and my spending habits have been turned upside down.
🌅 Travel is a journey for the soul, a quest to find familiar emotions in unfamiliar places. In April, as the spring breeze still wavers between warmth and heat, Liupanshui has already prepared a romance exclusively for spring, waiting for you to keep the appointment. Now, I present this most complete guide to traveling in Liupanshui in April 📖
📌 Introduction:
Liupanshui, known as the "Cool Capital of China," is located in western Guizhou Province. It has a subtropical monsoon humid climate with an average summer temperature of 19.7℃, making it an excellent summer retreat. But April has a special flavor, with flowers blooming all over the mountains, fresh and pleasant air, and ancient towns full of ethnic customs, each exuding a unique charm.
🗺️ Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrive in Liupanshui → check in to hotel → Shuicheng Ancient Town (experience the Third Front culture and taste local delicacies)
Day 2: Meihuashan Tourist Scenic Area (take the world's first cable car, enjoy a sea of flowers, and view the peak forest landscape) → Minghu National Wetland Park (stroll along the Rainbow Bridge and enjoy the wetland scenery)
Day 3: Yeyuhai Mountain Tourism Resort (experience the sightseeing train in the clouds and visit the Haiping Yi Village) → Wumeng Prairie (see alpine azaleas and enjoy the highland scenery)
Day 4: Beipanjiang Grand Canyon (enjoy the canyon scenery and feel the wonders of nature) → Return journey
📍 Must-visit attractions:
1. Shuicheng Ancient Town: It rose to prominence in the 1960s due to the "Third Front Construction". Today, it retains many old buildings, and the Guizhou Third Front Construction Museum is also located here, making it a good place to learn about the Third Front culture. Strolling through it, you can almost hear the passionate shouts of the builders of that time.
2. Meihuashan Tourist Scenic Area: The altitude here is high, and the wildflowers all over the mountains are in full bloom in April. Take the world's first cable car, which is 9.91 kilometers long. Along the way, you can see urban wetlands, lakes, canyons, mountains and other multi-element landscapes, as if you are in a landscape painting.
3. Minghu National Wetland Park: It consists of five wetland groups: Longguidi Reservoir, Yaoshang Reservoir, the source section of Shuicheng River, Minghu Village Wetland, and Minghu Xiaoshan Gorge. The 1.13-kilometer-long Rainbow Bridge is above the clear lake surface, making it an excellent spot for taking photos and checking in.
4. Yeyuhai Mountain Tourism Resort: The scenic area consists of Yejiping Sub-plateau Outdoor Sports Base, Yushe National Forest Park, and Yushe Haiping Yi Ethnic Tourism Resort Town. Take the sightseeing train in the clouds to not only admire the architectural style of the Yi village with thousands of households, but also enjoy the unique beauty of the entire Yeyuhai.
5. Haiping Yi Village: Also known as Haiping Yi Ethnic Customs Town, it fully demonstrates the strong folk customs of Shuicheng. Here, you can experience Yi culture, participate in bonfire parties, and feel the hospitality of ethnic minorities.
6. Wumeng Prairie: The largest and highest natural grassland in southwest China. In April, the alpine azaleas here are in full bloom, and the sea of flowers all over the mountains is like a fairyland. You can also enjoy natural landscapes such as the Buddha's light on the prairie and the alpine lake Tianchi.
7. Beipanjiang Grand Canyon: The most famous canyon in Guizhou, it integrates peak forests, karst caves, strange rocks, waterfalls, undercurrents, flower beaches, swirl ponds, and primitive forest vegetation. The canyon is also surrounded by the mysteries of Yelang culture, such as ancient murals and ancient city ruins.
8. Yushe National Forest Park: Known as the "Emerald of Cool Capital" and "Natural Oxygen Bar". Stroll through the forest, breathe the fresh air, and feel the tranquility and beauty of nature.
🚗 City Transportation:
- Bus: Some bus lines can directly reach the scenic area, such as Line L2 to Shuicheng Ancient Town (Guizhou Third Front Construction Museum is located here), and the fare is generally 2 - 3 yuan.
- Taxi/Ride-hailing: Convenient to travel, but the cost to more distant scenic spots is higher. For example, from Liupanshui Station to Yushe Snow Field is about 35 kilometers, which costs about 160 yuan and takes 1 hour.
- Scenic Area Special Line: There are special line cars directly to some scenic spots, which can be inquired and understood locally.
🍱 Local Food Specialties:
- Shuicheng Hot Pot: Roast various ingredients on a special hot pot, dip them in chili powder, and it is fragrant, spicy, and very enjoyable.
- Shuicheng Mutton Rice Noodles: Delicious mutton soup, served with smooth rice noodles, sprinkled with coriander and chopped green onion, the taste is mellow.
- Panxian Ham: With a long history, the meat is tender and fragrant. It can be sliced and eaten directly, or it can be used for cooking.
- Langdai Jelly: It tastes smooth and refreshing, with a special sauce, sour and spicy, it is a good product to relieve the heat.
- Shuicheng Spring Tea: The tea leaves are fresh and tender, the aroma is clear and high, and the taste is fresh and refreshing. April is a good time to taste new tea.
🏠 Accommodation:
- Urban area: There are various hotel options, with convenient transportation, shopping, and dining, such as Guizhou Hotel, Times Holiday Hotel, etc.
- Around the scenic area: If you want to be closer to nature, you can choose the B&Bs around the scenic area, such as Shifang Yunshe B&B Hotel in Wumeng Prairie, Artist Village B&B Hotel in Yeyuhai, etc., but the price is relatively high and you need to book in advance.
❗ Travel tips:
- The temperature difference between morning and evening in Liupanshui in April is large, so remember to bring a coat.
- Some scenic spots have high altitudes, so pay attention to preventing altitude sickness and avoid strenuous exercise.
- Check the opening hours and ticket information of each scenic spot in advance to avoid delaying the itinerary.
- When tasting local delicacies, pay attention to food hygiene. Friends with weak stomachs can bring their own stomach medicine.
🌈 April in Liupanshui is a perfect fusion of nature and culture, a double feast for the eyes and taste buds. Pack your bags and set foot on this magical land to pursue your poetry and distant places!