Luoping Travel Guide – Top Attractions & Essential Tips
Located on the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau, in the eastern part of Yunnan, Luoping County is at the intersection of Guangxi, Xingyi in Guizhou, and Kunming in Yunnan. The county is a picturesque area known for its rich ethnic culture and stunning landscapes.
The vast rapeseed flower fields blooming in spring are one of Luoping’s most famous attractions. Guinness World Records has recognized them as the “world’s largest natural garden.”
Beyond the vibrant yellow flowers, a Luoping Yunnan tour will enchant you with a series of waterfalls and peak forests shaped by the unique karst landscape. Ethnic culture is also splendid here. The area is mainly inhabited by the Bouyei people, who live in beautiful stilted houses and preserve their traditional Bouyei festivals, folk songs, customs, and a wide variety of ethnic handicrafts.
The area is easily accessible, just about 200 kilometers from Kunming. Follow our Luoping Travel Guide to discover all its hidden gems and learn essential tips for a smooth tour.
- Chinese Name: 罗平 (luó píng)
- Location: In the eastern part of Yunnan Province, at the junction of the three provinces (regions) of Yunnan, Guangxi, and Guizhou
- Area: 3,018 square kilometers
- Population: 667,100 (in 2023)
Why Visit Luoping
- Vast rapeseed flower fields: The most famous features in Luoping, the vast rapeseed flower fields transform into a golden sea of flowers from February to March each year, making it a great place for sightseeing and photography when traveling to Yunnan.
- Bouyei culture: Luoping is one of the main settlements of the Bouyei people. Visitors can explore their vibrant cultural heritage through local customs, celebrations, handicrafts, clothing, and structures.
- Jiulong Waterfall Cluster: The largest calcified waterfall group in China, Jiulong Waterfall Cluster features multiple waterfalls of varying sizes and shows a dramatic landscape.
- Beautiful handicrafts: The local Bouyei people are skilled in crafting beautiful handicrafts, such as embroidery and silver jewelry. You can pick some as souvenirs during a Luoping trip.
Top Places to Enjoy Rapeseed Flowers in Luoping
If you visit Luoping in around March, you can see rapeseed flowers almost everywhere. While the spots we recommended below are where you can capture some of the most spectacular nad unique flower fields in Luoping.
Golden Rooster Peak Cluster
Golden Rooster Peak Cluster (Jinji Fengcong) is known for its karst landscape of countless cone-shaped hills. During spring, the golden rapeseed flower fields beautifully complement the karst peaks, creating a unique rural landscape.
Shiwan Dashan
Shiwan Dashan is a highlight of China’s karst landscapes, spanning tens of thousands of square kilometers. Can you imagine how spectacular the view is when the rapeseed flowers are in full bloom during spring? It’s recommended to admire the view from a distance.
Niujie Spiral Terrace
Niujie Spiral Terrace is known for its unique terraced fields that resemble the spiral patterns of a screw, hence its name. Compared to other areas, the terraced fields here are more delicate and intricate. Along the hillside roads are many platforms for you to capture the entire terraced fields.
Majie Rapeseed Fields
The canola fields in Majie are scattered across rolling mountains, creating layered and overlapping views. The Gegang Spiral Terrace and the Songmao Spiral Terrace are two standout spots in Majie for excellent rapeseed flower views.
Other Attractions to See and Things to Do in Luoping
Jiulong Waterfall Cluster (九龙瀑布群)
A lesser-known but breathtakingly beautiful attraction in Luoping, Jiulong Waterfalls is composed of ten waterfalls of varying levels. After admiring the rapeseed flowers, many visitors make a special trip to see these waterfalls. You can hike through the area or take a sightseeing car to closely experience the majestic power of these waterfalls.
Nase Mountains (那色峰海)
Nase Mountains is also a striking karst landscape that is near Dabu Dong Village, a traditional Yi ethnic village. There are two hiking trails for visitors to admire the stunning landscapes. The trail with a lower elevation will reward you with views of sunrise and a sea of clouds. The higher train will take you to the summit, where you can enjoy a panoramic view of the surrounding landscape. Visitors can choose either trail based on their fitness levels and interests.
Duoyi River Scenic Area (多依河景区)
Stretching 12 kilometers, Duoyi River is a karst waterway that offers a blend of natural beauty and ethnic culture. There are over 40 waterfalls along the river course, setting against a backdrop of ancient trees and bamboo groves. Visitors can walk along a paved walkway to reach deep into the scenic zone while enjoying the waterfalls and lush forests along the way.
If you don’t like walking, electric carts are available. Also, you can take a bamboo raft ride on the river to enjoy the serene beauty from another angle.
Join Local Ethnic Celebrations
When the traditional Buyei ethnic festivals like the Song Festival and Water Splashing Festival are celebrated every year during the lunar dates of February 2nd and March 3rd, many traditional folk activities will be held.
In addition to the water-splashing fun, cultural performances are also a key part of the festival, including singing and dancing, artistic displays, bamboo pole dance, bamboo raft race, and traditional long street banquets.
Try Local Delicacies
Luoping is also a hidden gem for food lovers. As a main settlement for the Bouyei people, Luoping’s food culture is deeply influenced by Bouyei people and offers many traditional dishes of the Bouyei ethnic group. Below are some popular dishes that you should try during a Luoping Yunnan tour.
- Five-Color Flower Rice: The rice is dyed in vibrant colors with pure plant-based dyes, making it flavorful, beautiful, and healthy.
- Clay Pot Rice: Similar to the Cantonese “clay pot rice” but cooked in a traditional clay pot. It is prepared by cooking rice until it’s nearly dry, then adding sausages, cured meat, and peas to it.
- Whole Pot Soup: A popular dish of the Bouyei people, this hearty dish is usually enjoyed during the lunar calendar’s March 3rd festival. It is made by cooking large chunks of pork, lamb, and offal together in a pot, and seasoning them with a unique local spice blend.
Luoping Weather & Best Time to Visit
Luoping generally experiences a highland monsoon climate, with an average annual temperature of 15.1°C, and receives an average annual rainfall of 1,744 millimeters. Since the Bai La Mountain blocks cold air, the region sees prolonged periods of overcast and rainy weather. This kind of weather pattern is ideal for growing oilseed rape, making it one of the most important areas for large-scale oilseed rape cultivation in the country.
The best time to travel to Luoping is from January to early April. The rapeseed flowers usually start to bloom shortly after the Chinese New Year in January each year and last until early April. The peak period for flower blossoms is around mid-February to late March. The exact time of the bloom may vary each year. If the weather warms up early, the flowers will bloom earlier.
Summer with mild temperatures and the harvest autumn season are also good times to visit Luoping. These seasons allow you to comfortably experience the rural charm and farming life.
√ Related reading: Yunnan Weather: When is the Best Time to Visit Yunnan
Luoping Transportation
How to Get to Luoping
To get to Luoping from outside the Yunnan province, the most convenient way is to fly to Kunming Changshui International Airport first. Then, you can either hire a car or take a long-distance bus to reach Luoping.
An alternative option is to fly to Xingyi Wanfenglin Airport in Guizhou Province and then transfer to Luoping by long-distance bus or train.
Currently, Luoping is not yet connected by high-speed trains. Regular trains from nearby cities, such as Xingyi (around 2 hours) and Kunming (about 4 hours) are convenient.
Getting around Luoping
From the Luoping Tourism Service Center, there are four tourist shuttle bus lines connecting major attractions such as Jiulong Waterfalls, Nase Mountains, Luosi Fields, and Duoyi River Scenic Area. The ticket prices range from CNY 5 to 20.
Joining Luoping tours organized by reliable travel agencies is a great way for a hassle-free journey, especially if you are traveling to Luoping for the first time.
√ Related reading: Yunnan Transportation: How to Get to and Travel around
Accommodation in Luoping
Luoping County Center offers a wide range of accommodation options to cater to different preferences and budgets. This area also provides more dining options and convenient transportation. Or, you can also stay at a homestay near the scenic area for a closer connection to the landscape. Just note that the hotel standards and facilities may not as good as in big cities.
Our recommended hotels in Luoping include Golden Flower Jade Lake Plaza Hotel (near Jinji Fengcong), Cloud Hotel & Resort Luoping, Fengcong Luxury Tent Hotel (close to Jinji Fengcong), and Luoping Grand Hotel (near Luoping Station).n five-star will definitely have a better and more comfortable travel experience.
Useful Luoping Travel Tips
- If you travel to Luoping for the canola flowers, the best time to go is from mid-February to mid-March. If you want to avoid the crowds and enjoy the serene natural landscapes, late April should be a great time to go.
- A typical Luoping tour takes about 2 days: spend one day to admire the canola flowers, and the other day to explore other attractions such as Jiulong Waterfalls, and Duoyi River Scenic Area.
- Early mornings and evenings are great times to take stunning photos, thanks to the soft, warm hues and rich colors.
- The Jinji Peak Cluster is the best spot for viewing the rapeseed flowers. You can explore this area on foot, by sightseeing bus, by ox cart, or by renting a bicycle.
- Spring temperatures in Luoping can vary significantly between day and night, so wearing layers is essential to adapt to temperature changes during your visit.
