Blooming lotuses in Qiubei surprise tourists

An overview of the 5A Puzhehei scenic area in Qiubei county

It was a midsummer day, and we visited the Puzhehei lotus gardens in Qiubei county, southeast Yunnan’s Wenshan Zhuang and Miao autonomous prefecture. There, we were impressed by the graceful lotus leaves, the fragrant lotus flowers, and the greener environment in general.

Blooming lotus at the 5A Puzhehei scenic area in Qiubei county

Tourists have leisure at the 5A Puzhehei scenic area in Qiubei county.

"It’s great fun! Could you take a group photo for us!" asked a lady at the 5A Puzhehei scenic area. Soon we realized that we were amid crowds of tourists speaking provincial dialects across China. Some were strolling along the rural paths to enjoy the blooming lotus, while others were having water fights in the clear lakes, laughing merrily.

 

Blooming lotus at the 5A Puzhehei scenic area in Qiubei county

Tourists have leisure at the 5A Puzhehei scenic area in Qiubei county.

"The rooms for next week are fully booked, mostly through online platforms such as Qunar.com and Ctrip.com," said the owners of two boutique inns within the Puzhehei area. As the summer holiday begins, more parents are taking their children to the area for its natural beauty.

 

Tourists have leisure at the 5A Puzhehei scenic area in Qiubei county.

Blooming lotus at the 5A Puzhehei scenic area in Qiubei county

The blooming lotus flowers and the subsequent tourist inflows have enriched local villagers who are increasingly engaged in tourist services. The annual per capita net income in Xianrendong Village, core of the Puzhehei scenic area, averages at more than 50,000 yuan, and they either open inns, operate restaurants, rent cars or sell local specialties.

 

Tourists have leisure at the 5A Puzhehei scenic area in Qiubei county.

Blooming lotus at the 5A Puzhehei scenic area in Qiubei county 

Reporting by Ma Fengcui and Ma Weizhong; Trans-editing by Wang Shixue