The rural areas of North China's Shanxi province have recently become adorned with blooming flowers, attracting numerous citizens and tourists and adding a vibrant touch to rural tourism.

Tourists stroll among the flower sea. [Photo/Shanxi Economic Daily]

In Manghe town, Yangcheng county, 20,000 mu (1,333 hectares) of Cornus flowers are in full bloom, creating a stunning spring landscape. Visitors stroll along mountain paths, weaving through golden flower seas and capturing the beauty on cameras. Yangcheng county is one of four major cornel production areas in China. The industry generates an annual output value of nearly 100 million yuan ($13.65 million) and employs over 10,000 locals.

Around April each year, blooming apricot blossoms in Shenjian village, Daixian county, allow the local community to host cultural tourism events. These events offer activities such as flower viewing, folk markets, and stamp collection tours, which attract more tourists and boost rural tourism.

Towns and villages across Shanxi are also enhancing their flower-viewing economy. For example, Buguan town has developed immersive "flower viewing + culture", "flower viewing + food", and "flower viewing + farming" industry chains. The town provides a unique flower-viewing experience by integrating tourism elements, driving local popularity.

"To offer more immersive experiences, regions in Shanxi have launched themed routes covering the province's classic flower viewing spots. We warmly invite tourists from within and outside the province to embark on a spring flower viewing journey in Shanxi," said an official from the Culture and Tourism Department of Shanxi Province.