Bijie, Guizhou Province

The Lost Kingdom in the Sea of Clouds: Exploring Hezhang Yelang National Forest Park

📸Photography 🧗Adventure 🏕️Camping 🛤️Highland Aesthetics(高原美学)

Altitude

1,750m

Best Time

🌸 ☀️ 🍂

Ticket

Paid

ℹ️

About This Attraction

1.Hezhang Yelang National Forest: Park is a pristine natural sanctuary nestled in the Wumeng Mountain Range in Hezhang County, Bijie City, Guizhou Province. Covering a vast area of 48,000 hectares with an altitude ranging from 1,800 to 2,400 meters, this park is often hailed as "Guizhou's last undiscovered virgin land". It stands as a magnificent example of the plateau mountain ecosystem, merging dense virgin forests with dramatic karst geological formations to create a landscape that is both rugged and enchanting.

The park is named after the ancient and mysterious Yelang Kingdom, a civilization that flourished in Southwest China over 2,000 years ago. The famous Chinese idiom "Yelang holds itself too high" (Yelang Zida) originated from this region, reflecting the kingdom's pride and isolation. Hezhang is considered a core area of this ancient culture, and the park itself is imbued with the legends and history of the Yelang people. It is said that the rugged peaks and deep forests here were once the natural barriers and sanctuaries for the Yelang ancestors. Visitors can feel the weight of history in the "Kele Ruins" nearby and the park's atmosphere, which seems to guard the secrets of a lost dynasty.

Geographically, the park presents a stunning fusion of Karst landscapes and virgin forests. Unlike the typical bare stone forests found elsewhere, the peaks here are draped in ancient trees, creating a "Green Sea of Stone Forests". The park is home to thousands of plant species and wild animals, earning it the reputation of being a "Species Gene Bank" and a "Natural Garden". The complex terrain features peaks, canyons, caves, and skylights, offering a multi-dimensional visual experience.

One of the park's most spectacular natural wonders is Jiucaiping (Leek Terrace). Known as the "Roof of Guizhou," the Big Jiucaiping area (often associated with the park's broader scenic region) hosts the world's only large-scale wild chive flower belt. Every autumn (typically August to September), tens of thousands of acres of wild chive flowers bloom in unison, turning the rolling mountains into a breathtaking sea of purple under the blue sky. This "Sea of Flowers in the Clouds" creates a surreal, fairyland atmosphere that attracts photographers and nature lovers from around the world.

Culturally, the area is rich with the traditions of the Yi ethnic group. The Torch Festival, celebrated around the 24th day of the sixth lunar month, is a vibrant event where locals light torches and dance, turning the quiet forest into a scene of joy and celebration. Whether you are hiking through the Jiugushui (Nine Valley Water) ecological canyon, marveling at the sea of clouds floating amidst the stone peaks, or exploring the cultural remnants of the ancient Yelang civilization, Hezhang Yelang National Forest Park offers a profound journey into the wild heart of Guizhou.

✨ Why Visit Hezhang Yelang National Forest Park

✦

The Mystery of Yelang Culture

Explore the heartland of the ancient Yelang Kingdom, a place steeped in legends and history, often referred to as the cradle of this lost civilization.

✦

Sea of Wild Chive Flowers

Witness the breathtaking spectacle at Jiucaiping, where the world's largest area of wild chive flowers blooms into a purple sea across the mountain ridges every autumn.

✦

Karst Stone Forest & Cloud Sea

Admire the unique geological landscape where rugged karst peaks rise from a sea of clouds and are intertwined with lush virgin forests, creating a "Green Stone Forest" effect.

✦

Virgin Forest Ecosystem

Immerse yourself in a vast, pristine forest that serves as a "Species Gene Bank," home to diverse flora and fauna, offering a pure "forest oxygen bar" experience.

✦

Jiugushui Ecological Canyon

Trek through this hidden canyon known as the "Fairyland in the Forest," characterized by dense vegetation, clear streams, and a secluded atmosphere perfect for nature lovers.

Location & Nearby

📍 Bijie, Guizhou Province • 🏔️ 1750m elevation

Frequently Asked Questions - Hezhang Yelang National Forest Park Travel Guide

Where is Hezhang Yelang National Forest Park located?

It is located in the southern part of the Wumeng Mountain range in Hezhang County, Bijie City, Guizhou Province.

What is the "Yelang" in the park's name? "Yelang" refers to an ancient kingdom that existed in Southwest China over 2,000 years ago. Hezhang is considered a central area of this civilization, and the park is culturally linked to its history and legends.

When is the best time to see the wild chive flowers? The wild chive flowers at Jiucaiping typically bloom from August to September, turning the mountains into a stunning sea of purple.

Is the park suitable for summer visits? Yes, with an average altitude between 1800m and 2400m and lush forests, the park is an excellent summer resort with cool temperatures and fresh air.

What ethnic culture can be experienced here? The area is inhabited by the Yi ethnic group. Visitors can experience their unique customs, architecture, and festivals, such as the lively Torch Festival.

Why do you include Chinese characters and Pinyin in the descriptions for Hezhang Yelang National Forest Park?

We provide the original Chinese names and Pinyin to make your travel smoother. Since English is rarely spoken in remote parts of Western China, you can easily show these Chinese names to local taxi drivers, hotel staff, or police when asking for help, or copy-paste them directly into Chinese navigation apps like Amap (高德地图) or Baidu Maps.