Deep in Qujing: When beauty blooms into economy

Rapeseed flower fields in Luoping

Rapeseed flowers blanket the fields of Luoping County in eastern Yunnan’s Qujing City. Visitors meander through golden landscapes, painting a vibrant picture of spring’s vitality and rural charm.

“We first saw Luoping’s breathtaking rapeseed flower fields on TV and have been longing to visit ever since,” said Mr. Sun, a tourist from Heilongjiang Province in northeastern China. “Now that I’m here, seeing this golden sea with my own eyes is an incredibly moving experience.”

Rapeseed flower fields in Luoping

In recent years, Luoping has leveraged its expansive rapeseed fields to develop a thriving "flower-viewing economy." The county has introduced scenic train rides, off-road adventures, and helicopter tours, along with cultural performances, wellness retreats, and agricultural education programs. By integrating nature with sports, technology, and art, Luoping has evolved into a diverse and dynamic tourism destination.

This spring, over 20 themed events have been launched, including a flower sea marathon and a mountain cycling race. These events provide visitors with a dynamic and immersive experience.

Tourists take photos at a rapeseed flower scenic spot in Luoping.

According to Hu Jun, director of the Luoping Agricultural Technology Promotion Center, the county’s abundant rainfall and mild climate create perfect conditions for rapeseed cultivation. Moreover, advancements in seed selection and farming practices, such as drone-assisted sowing and pest control, have significantly increased both yield and efficiency.

From January to March, beekeepers from all over China bring tens of thousands of bee colonies to Luoping for spring breeding and honey production. Local beekeepers have also formed cooperatives to scale up their operations. In 2024, more than 1,000 local beekeepers managing five or more hives collectively produced over 2,000 tons of honey. They generated more than 200 million yuan in revenue. Luoping has also expanded its bee-related industries, producing propolis, royal jelly, pollen, and beeswax.

In recent years, Luoping has used its rapeseed fields to revitalize nearby villages, transforming them into thriving tourist destinations. Gong Yuping, a young villager from Weigu Village, once left home to work in Zhejiang—one of China’s most developed provinces—but has since returned to take advantage of the new opportunities in tourism. “Our village’s environment and infrastructure have significantly improved. In addition, the rise of tourism has provided us with stable jobs and a better quality of life,” she shared.

Rapeseed flowers in Luoping attract tourists.

Beyond Luoping, other regions in Qujing, like Malong District and Luliang County, are also capitalizing on the "flower-viewing economy." By integrating agriculture, culture, and tourism, they are turning breathtaking landscapes into a source of sustainable economic growth. This proves that beauty can truly blossom into prosperity.

Source: Luoping Updates; Trans-editing by Guo Yao; Proofreading by Wang Shixue (YICC); English polishing by Franklin (CICG)