Baili Rhododendron Forest
百里杜鹃
A natural rhododendron forest stretching for a hundred li, or roughly 50 km, billed as the world's largest and a national 5A-level scenic area. Each spring, dozens of varieties, including Mayinghua rhododendron, turn entire ridges red, pink and purple.
Baili Rhododendron Forest lies in the Wumeng Mountains on the border of Dafang County and Qianxi City. The forest belt stretches about 50 km east to west and covers 125 square km, which gives it its name. It has more than 40 native species, including Mayinghua (Rhododendron delavayi), dewdrop rhododendron and tuanhua rhododendron, and is known as the 'ribbon of colors across the Earth.' It is now a national 5A-level scenic area with two main sections. Pudi is famous for its 'Rhododendron King,' a single tree that bears flowers in seven colors, along with the Suoma Flower Sea and the Yi Ethnic Culture Square. It is ideal for photographing sweeping flower fields. Jinpo has a wilder forest, with a flower-sea viewing platform and a Hundred Flower Garden. Itinerary tip: during bloom season, visit Pudi first for the flower sea, then drive about 40 minutes to Jinpo. Each section takes about 2 to 3 hours on foot plus sightseeing shuttle rides. Tickets and shuttle fares are charged by section and vary between peak and off-season, with frequent discounts. Check the official 'Baili Rhododendron' WeChat account before you go. Getting there: about 2 hours by car from Guiyang and about 1 hour from central Bijie. During bloom season, tourist shuttles run from Guiyang and Bijie. Notes: weekend traffic during bloom is extremely heavy, so enter early in the morning. The high-altitude UV is strong, so bring sun protection. Temperatures on the mountain drop to about 10°C in the early morning and evening.
Opening hours
08:00–18:00 (longer during blooming season)
Nearby sights
- Baili Rhododendron Jinpo Scenic Area
- Youshan River Scenic Area
- Shuixi Ancient Town
- Shexiang Ancient Town
- Tomb of Shexiang & Shexiang Museum
- Mu'ege Ancient City (Guizhou Pacification Commission Mansion)
- Zhigaaru Lake (Hongjiadu Reservoir)
- Wujiang Source Gallery & Huawu Village