Spring Flowers and Wild Vegetables

 Alpine azalea blossoming on the mountains (Photo by Ran Chao)

The spring of Shennongjia comes later than that of the city. Different from the artificially manicured green plants and the potted plants that are scraped together,the spring here is more wild and unbridled. Suddenly, flowers bloom in the mountains, and the birds are humming altogether; the vigorous and upright firs, the quaint and fragrant cypresses, and the flickering phoenix trees: they all see off the cold winter.

No matter what season it is, the Peak of Shennongjia is a must-see place. The scenes here have all kinds of magnificent beauties. The bamboos grow, the firs stand, the cuckoos bloom splendidly, and the evergreens stay for all the seasons. When one ascends to the top, viewing the fascinating clouds, they will at once understand and never forget DuFu's heroic sentiments of "overlooking all hills from the highest mountain top."

Azaleas start a new cycle of life in spring. In Golden Monkey Ridge, Xiaolongtan, Dalongtan, and other places in the habitat,the blooming rhododendrons decorate the tall and dense forests more beautifully and bring visitors a visual feast. On the hillside, there are stripes of new green and clusters of red "clouds." The spring water sizzles, the butterflies dance in the valley, and the bees send a burst of buzz, inviting the visitors to stop and hang around. In addition to the rhododendron sea, the nationally first-class protected animals, Golden Snub-nosed Monkeys, are happy to embrace the arrival of spring. They are in tune with the spirit of the forest—eating and stalking the green leaves on the branches, unafraid of human beings, creating a picture of harmony.

The wild rhododendron forests in the slab rock, the spurred rhododendrons in the Tianyan scenic spots, and the white rhododendrons are all spring wonders. You should also go to the rainbow bridge to appreciate the rhododendron sea, which will make you feel the dreamy magic and the broadness of nature, growing more and more unconscious of the time.

At sunset, if you have not appreciated enough of the beautiful scenery, it is a great pleasure to enjoy dishes such as fried mountain flowers and spring sprouts, as well as the local "Shennongjia wine." When you are all in high spirits and eventually go home, you will probably feel this is the life you’ve been pursuing