Recently, the rapeseed blossoms in Qingling Town, Gao County, Yibin City, have entered their peak viewing period. Vast golden fields sway in the breeze, filling the air with a subtle fragrance.

Rapeseed flower fields in Gao County

Ahead of the Spring Festival, Gao County launched a series of events themed "Come to Gao County in Yibin for a Spring Banquet", titled "Spring Wine, Hometown Origins: Flower Viewing in Qingling". From Lunar New Year's Day to the eighth day, visitor numbers surpassed 240,000, significantly exceeding the same period last year. Local cultural and tourism authorities stated that after unexpectedly gaining popularity in 2025 due to the early blooming of rapeseed flowers, Gao County has introduced multidimensional upgrades this year to better welcome the "spring" of its cultural tourism industry.

Spring Shuttle Bus

On February 23, more than ten tourists disembarked from a shuttle bus adorned with rapeseed flower patterns at the Gengdu Shanhe Educational Tourism Base parking lot in Qingling Town. Driver Li Qin explained that he makes three round trips daily, each leg taking over 40 minutes, with passenger volume noticeably higher than in previous years. The park has deployed five shuttle buses, supplemented by three internal buses operating on a 15-minute loop schedule across four stops—nearly every trip is full. Additionally, hospitality service desks have been set up at highway entrances and exits, offering hot water, medical assistance, and route guidance; major consumption areas are equipped with free charging stations. In terms of infrastructure, Qingling Town has added over 1,700 free parking spaces and installed new public restrooms beneath parking lots and elevated bridges.

Rapeseed flower fields in Gao County

To retain visitors, Gao County has created a "springtime paradise" integrating sightseeing, art, consumption, and experiential activities. Beside the flower fields, an off-road track hosts fun events such as off-roading through the blooms, chicken catching, goose ring-tossing, and horseback riding. Highway bridge piers have been transformed into colorful photo spots, with over 20 murals blending seamlessly into the surrounding landscape. The Huajian Academy, converted from a disused primary school, is now in trial operation, offering experiences in traditional farming and intangible cultural heritage, flag-raising ceremonies, morning exercises, and classic childhood games—appealing to visitors of all ages, especially senior citizens seeking to relive cherished memories.

"Spring Market"

The influx of visitors drawn by the flower fields has also invigorated the local rural economy. Chen Xuewei, a villager from Qingling Town, sets up a stall along the field paths selling douhua rice (tofu pudding with rice), earning over 1,000 yuan per day. Under the elevated highway, the "Spring Market" features dozens of local specialty vendors offering Qixian rice, handmade vermicelli, organic citrus fruits, and more. Farmer Yang Qun, who leases hundreds of mu of land for rice cultivation, reported strong holiday sales. Market regulators conduct daily inspections to strictly monitor expired or unmarked products, ensuring consumer safety. Homestays are also thriving: Luo Jin, a local resident, renovated his old house into a rapeseed-themed homestay, generating daily revenue of around 1,000 yuan. The number of homestays in the town has grown from seven to nearly 30. "We want our guests to feel comfortable and come back often." he said.

Amid the early spring of southern Sichuan, the golden sea of blossoms is lifting new dreams for this land.

【本文部分内容由AI辅助生成，特此声明。The author(s) generated part of the content in this work with the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI), which is hereby declared.】