Jiucaipian in Guizhou! Limited "Purple Ocean" from September to October, miss it and wait for a year
Who understands! Guizhou hides a "sea of flowers in the sky"—Jiucaipian. From early September to mid-October every year, wild chive flowers bloom all over the mountains, spreading like purple mist over the mountaintop at an altitude of 2,777 meters. When the wind blows, the waves of flowers surge, and even the air is wrapped in a faint floral fragrance. This 9:16 vertical screen-friendly note will help you unlock this autumn-exclusive romance.
🌟 Key points first: Flower season & transportation, don’t come empty-handed!
1. Best viewing period (don’t miss it and regret it)
• Peak bloom: September 10 - October 5, when the chive flowers are densest and the color is the most purple, the mountaintop looks like it’s covered with a "purple velvet carpet";
• Late bloom: October 6 - October 20, some flowers will lighten, but there are fewer people, making it quieter for photos, suitable for those who like a niche atmosphere.
• Avoid pitfalls: Flowers just start blooming at the end of August, and mostly wither by the end of October, don’t come too early or too late!
2. Transportation: How to choose between driving and public transport?
• Driving (recommended!): Navigate to "Bijie Hezhang Jiucaipian Scenic Area (Sea of Flowers in the Sky)". It takes about 4.5 hours from Guiyang. The last 10 kilometers is a mountain road, the surface is smooth, and regular cars can drive. The scenic area parking lot costs 10 yuan/day;
• Public transport: Take a bus from Guiyang Jinyang Bus Station to Hezhang County (80 yuan/person, 3 hours), then transfer to the rural bus from Hezhang to Jiucaipian (20 yuan/person, 1.5 hours). The bus runs 3 times daily (8:00, 11:00, 14:00), the last return bus is at 16:30, don’t miss it!
📸 9:16 vertical screen photo guide: 3 must-shoot spots
1. Mountaintop viewing platform (panoramic purple sea of flowers)
Take the scenic area shuttle bus to the mountaintop (20 yuan/person, one way 15 minutes, walking takes 1 hour, don’t save money here). The first viewing platform overlooks the entire sea of flowers—the distant mountain valleys are all purple, and the wooden plank road in the middle looks like a "ribbon floating on the sea of flowers."
• How to shoot: Stand at the edge of the viewing platform, shoot vertically with your phone from a low angle, framing the "purple sea of flowers + distant green mountains + blue sky." Wear a white dress (which pairs perfectly with purple), casually toss your hair for a dynamic feel;
• Time: 9-11 AM (soft light, dew on flowers, more vivid), 4-6 PM (sunset dyes flowers light pink-purple, atmosphere is amazing).
2. Flower sea wooden plank road (immersive flower shots)
There is a 2-kilometer wooden plank road on the mountaintop, winding through the chive flowers, with flower spikes reaching waist height, within arm’s reach.
• How to shoot: Use vertical close-ups of the flower spikes with your phone, sunlight shining through petals creates a translucent purple effect; or walk on the plank road and have a friend shoot your "back + extending plank road" from behind, making it look like you’re walking through the sea of flowers, full of story;
• Tip: Bring a straw hat or transparent umbrella as a prop, hold it in front of your chest to block harsh sunlight and add layers to the photo.
3. Windmill check-in spot (niche and uncrowded)
Deep in the scenic area are 3 white windmills standing at the end of the flower sea, paired with purple flowers and green grass, like a "Japanese manga scene."
• How to shoot: Stand under the windmill, shoot vertically with your phone capturing "person + windmill + flower sea," include the entire windmill blades, position the person on the right third of the frame following the "rule of thirds" for a more comfortable composition;
• Avoid pitfalls: The windmill spot is a bit far from the main viewing platform, about a 20-minute walk. Wear comfortable sneakers, not sandals (there are small stones on the plank road).
🍽️ Around the flower sea: food, accommodation, and travel tips
1. Food: Don’t miss local specialties
• Must-eat: Hezhang Cola Pork Bacon (fatty but not greasy, stir-fried with chive flowers is super fragrant), lamb noodles (small shop at the scenic area entrance, 15 yuan/bowl, add chili for more flavor), roasted potatoes (5 yuan each, dipped in chili powder, finger-licking good);
• Avoid pitfalls: Snacks inside the scenic area are expensive (mineral water 5 yuan/bottle), it’s recommended to bring some snacks and water yourself, then go to Hezhang County for a proper meal after leaving the scenic area for better value.
2. Accommodation: Stay on the mountaintop or in the county?
• Mountaintop homestays: There are a few simple homestays (150-200 yuan/night), with views of the flower sea sunrise, but conditions are basic, no air conditioning (around 10°C at night in September, electric blankets available);
• Hezhang County: More hotel options (100-300 yuan/night), full facilities, you can visit the county night market in the evening, buy local walnuts and Gastrodia elata as souvenirs. It’s recommended to stay in the county and go to the scenic area early the next morning.
📌 9:16 note exclusive tips (more convenient for vertical screen reading)
1. Outfit: Wear white, light blue, beige, or other light colors, avoid purple (will blend with the flower sea); temperature difference is big between morning and night, bring a light jacket (like a knit cardigan), can take off when hot at noon.
2. Gear: Fully charge your phone! Shooting the flower sea consumes a lot of power, bring a 20,000mAh power bank; sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat are must-haves, UV rays are strong on the mountaintop and can easily cause sunburn.
3. Tickets: 50 yuan/person, students get half price (25 yuan) with student ID, seniors over 60 are free (with ID), shuttle bus 20 yuan/person (must buy, walking is too tiring).
4. Safety: It’s windy on the mountaintop, don’t get close to cliff edges; picking flowers is prohibited (patrolled by the scenic area, violators fined 50 yuan per plant), enjoy flowers civilly!
In September and October, Jiucaipian in Guizhou turns autumn into a "purple dream." Standing on the mountaintop, watching the waves of flowers, windmills, and distant clouds, even your breathing slows down. If you want to see a different kind of flower sea in autumn, don’t hesitate, come here and save this "limited romance" in your phone album.