As winter sets in, the farmland of Shili Village in Maoming City, south China's Guangdong Province, has transformed from freshly harvested rice fields into a sea of golden rapeseed flowers in full bloom. Swaying gently in the breeze, the blossoms attract bees and butterflies, creating a vibrant pastoral scene set against mountains and rural homes.
Since the rapeseed flowers reached peak bloom in former rice paddies this January, the fields have drawn more than 10,000 visitors. The increase in tourist arrivals has boosted local businesses, including restaurants and homestays, turning ordinary farmland into a popular rural tourism destination.
Beyond their visual appeal, the rapeseed fields reflect Shili Village's commitment to green agriculture. Field data show that ploughing the plants back into the soil increases organic matter, improves soil structure, enhances fertility, reduces crop diseases, and raises overall crop quality.
This "flowers first, fertilizer later" model allows the fields to generate tourism income during the blooming season while restoring soil health afterward, laying a solid foundation for the next planting cycle.
Author: Zou Xiangliang, Huang Qiming, Dai Yuyi
Photos: Maoming Municipal Bureau of Agriculture and Rural Affairs
Editor: Liu Lingzhi, James Campion, Shen He
