Name: Luoping

Chinese name: 罗平

Province: Yunnan

Status: District

Population: 508,345 inhabitants

Area: 3,025 km²

Luoping is a small city in Yunnan Province, positioned near the border where Yunnan, Guizhou and Guangxi converge. Located 228 km east of Kunming, it falls under the jurisdiction of Qujing city-prefecture. Defined by an enchanting natural landscape, it has become an essential hub for travelers moving between the three provinces closest to China's southern border.

History

In 1999, Luoping hosted its first rapeseed flower cultural festival. At that time, the city welcomed over 350,000 domestic and international visitors, boosting annual tourism revenues to approximately 50 million RMB. Since then, this festival has been held annually between late February and early March to attract tourists and generate local income.

Today

While once merely a transit point to reach regional attractions, Luoping has recently transformed into a paradise for photography enthusiasts. The city boasts sumptuous landscapes characterized by vast rapeseed fields and steep hillsides. These fields, seemingly dressed in gold, stretch endlessly across the valley, creating an impression of surprising immensity. The geological formations, appearing to rise naturally from the ground, add authentic charm to the landscape. But there's more to discover—the Luoping region holds numerous surprises. Further afield, you'll find yourself captivated by the Jiulong waterfall, ranked among China's most spectacular cascades. You can also visit the Jinji Peaks and the Duoyi River, both offering serene settings perfect for relaxation and photography. The Buyi ethnic group, alongside other minorities, gives the city distinctive character, with their culture reflected especially in agricultural techniques. During your stay in Luoping, you'll have the opportunity to discover and admire the architecture, craftsmanship, local culinary specialties, ethnic customs and colorful traditional costumes of the Buyi people.

The Rapeseed Fields

The rapeseed field is a vast plantation covering more than 200 km². This makes Luoping one of China's largest rapeseed producers. During the blooming season between February and March, when the rapeseed flower festival is typically celebrated, the valley covered in yellow flowers transforms into a gigantic golden ocean. The intoxicating fragrance of the rapeseed flowers envelops visitors in an environment conducive to meditation and poetic reverie. To fully appreciate the golden fields, it's recommended to visit locations favored by photographers, from where you can take in the entire panorama stretching to the horizon.

Duoyi River Park

Spanning 12 km², the Duoyi River Park forms a picturesque zone comprising over 40 waterfalls, each unique in character. During your walk, you'll also admire ancient trees, towering bamboo groves and traditional wooden houses dotting both riverbanks.

The Jinji Peaks

Rising amid the rapeseed fields northeast of Luoping along National Highway 324, this site is a cluster of small conical hills about 10 meters high with distinctive shapes. They cover more than 100 km² in total. In winter and spring, these little hills stand out dramatically against the golden rapeseed fields, highlighting the varied contours of the cascading terraced fields.

The Jiulong Waterfalls

Following the Jiulong River, the Jiulong waterfalls—whose name means "nine dragons"—are among China's most impressive cascades. They rank among the must-see sites for Yunnan travelers. Ranked as China's fourth most beautiful waterfalls, they consist of 9 successive tiers plunging over 56 meters in height and spanning 112 meters in width. With an average annual discharge of 18 cubic meters per second, each cascade impresses with its raw power.

Climate

Luoping enjoys a subtropical climate—mild and humid monsoon plateau weather with abundant rainfall even during the driest periods. It records an average precipitation of 1,124 mm annually. With an average temperature of 23.9°C, July is the warmest month in the region. Temperatures drop to around 2°C in January. The best time to visit Luoping is from late winter through spring, to enjoy the rapeseed field blooms.

Train

The Luoping railway station, located in Luoxiong about 1.5 km from the city center, is served by several rail lines including those to Kunming, Zhanjiang, Nanning and Shanghai. The regular train connecting Guangzhou and Kunming passes through Luoping at approximately 11:30 a.m.

Bus from Kunming

From Kunming's bus station, regular services run to Luoping. En route from Yuanyang, buses pass through Gejiu and Luxi before arriving in the district.

Taxi

Luoping has a taxi network that remains the most practical way to explore the city's attractions.

Local Buses

Luoping's bus station, located on Yungui Street, connects the district with surrounding counties and townships via regular services. The station north of Luoping railway station primarily handles buses to the city's northern cantons, villages and counties.

Public Buses

Public buses offer budget-friendly travel, with fares as low as 1 RMB per journey. Tourist-focused bus lines also connect major attractions throughout the city.

What to Do in Luoping?

• Explore the rapeseed fields and capture the site's beauty during optimal lighting conditions.
• Marvel at the spectacular beauty and power of the Jiulong waterfalls.
• Follow hiking trails along the Duoyi River for a pleasant and refreshing excursion.
• Attempt to count and distinguish the varied formations of the Jinji peaks.