Sea of gold floods, 'town of a thousand islands'

Menyuan, Qinghai province

The golden flowers in the Menyuan Hui autonomous county provide a panoramic vista different from the views of blossoms seen in other provinces, thanks to the unique climate of the Qinghai plateau.

Covering an area of more than 300 square kilometers, the rape flower fields border the Qilian Mountain range to the north and Daban Mountain to the south, and is often referred to as the "golden ocean on the plateau" by locals and visitors alike.

The flowers usually bloom in early July, and the best time to appreciate them this year will be between July 5 and 20. The annual Menyuan rape flower festival runs from July 18 to 25 when the flowers are in full blossom.

The rape flower fields are set in locations at altitudes of over 3,000 meters, so it's worth taking the potential for altitude sickness into consideration before setting off.

Sun protection is another important factor to consider when visiting Menyuan.