Beat summer heat with flower-viewing in Guiyang

Guiyang's summer comes with its own built-in 22.3 C cooling filter, and it never holds back on romance. Purple verbena spreads into an ocean of violet, hydrangeas pile up like ice cream, lotuses stand gracefully among emerald waves, dahlias bloom like magnificent brocade, and sunflowers turn their heads to follow the sun.

This Guiyang summer flower viewing guide is your key to unlocking the city's limited-edition seasonal romance.

 Verbena

Shimen Jinxiu Tianyuan / Yunding Flower Sea

At the high mountain top of Gaopo township of Huaxi district, 300 mu (20 hectares) of purple verbena rolls across the undulating terrain. Windmills turn slowly, and purple floral waves ripple outward layer by layer. This spot is hailed as the "Provence in the clouds".

Rolling hills blanketed with vibrant purple verbena at Shimen Jinxiu Tianyuan in Gaopo township, Huaxi district. [Photo/WeChat account of Huaxi district]

Hydrangea

Guizhou Plum Blossom Garden

Right now, Chinese snowball viburnums at Guizhou Plum Garden have fully entered their prime viewing period. Patches of hydrangeas pile up in tiers – creamy white bases gradually tinted with soft pink. The plump, fluffy clusters look as soft and sweet as ice cream, earning them the online nickname "ice-cream hydrangeas".

Lotus

Shilihetan Tourist Resort

As summer heat builds in the city, Shilihetan Tourist Resort in Huaxi district is gently wrapped in vast expanses of clear lotus blossoms. Thirty mu of lotus ponds bloom in succession, with more than 20 varieties of red and white blossoms swaying among the green leaves, turning the scorching days into a breezy, fragrant pond-side experience.

Guiyang Botanical Garden of Medical Plants 

As one of the city's finest flower-viewing spots, the Guiyang Botanical Garden of Medical Plants is a lotus-viewing treasure on the edge of the urban area. Even before you reach the pond, you can already smell the fresh scent of lotus leaves mingling with the moist air from afar.

Blooming lotuses stretch across the waters of Guiyang Botanical Garden of Medical Plants. [Photo/WeChat account of Nanming district]

Guanshanhu Park

The lotus pond at Guanshanhu Park sits beside the Yueliang Cave Ruins within the park. Some lotuses are already in bloom, and the entire pond is expected to reach full bloom by mid-to-late July. This hidden lotus viewing spot in the heart of the city is perfect for strolling, relaxing, or taking photos.

Caishui village, Weicheng town, Qingzhen county-level city

Entering Caishui village in Qingzhen in summer, pink lotuses dot the green leaves. A gentle breeze passes, lotus shadows sway, and layers of green ripples interweave with the dotted blossoms, painting a vivid rural ink-wash landscape.

Dahlia

Qifeng Huayu, Wudang district

At Qifeng Huayu in Wudang district, dahlias and other summer flowers are arrayed in full splendor. Plump, full flower heads stack in layers – fiery reds, bright yellows, delicate pinks, and serene purples. These large, exquisite blooms compete in the breeze, marking summer's most magnificent chapter.

Sunflower

Yongle village, Weicheng town, Qingzhen county-level city

In Yongle village, Weicheng town, Qingzhen, 1,000 mu of sunflowers are in full bloom under the fierce summer sun. Each golden flower disc resembles a warm, pure smiling face, steadfastly following the sun's path from dawn to dusk.

Zhongcheng Farm, Baiyun district

In mid-July, at Zhongcheng Farm in Jianpo village, Yanshanhong town, Baiyun district, nearly 50 mu of sunflowers are at peak bloom. The farm mainly selects varieties with brilliant colors, long flowering periods, and strong adaptability. Some oilseed sunflower varieties are interplanted with ornamental sunflowers, creating rich layers. Visitors can wander through the flower sea, take memorable photos, and enjoy the farm's diverse activities, experiencing a leisurely, pastoral slow-life getaway.

Golden sunflowers thrive in Zhongcheng Farm of Baiyun district. [Photo/WeChat account of Baiyun district]