Tourists from all over the country are drawn to Nandan for its beautiful rape flowers. [Photo by Huang Kaijun/Hechi Daily]

Nandan Baping's first Rape Flower Festival got underway at Manba village on the morning of March 8. Thousands of tourists from all over the country came to the village in Hechi, Guangxi, to appreciate the beautiful rape flowers and feel the charm of the ecological village by watching a flower photographic exhibition and a local food exhibition, and participating in a sports competition and a gala party.

The rape flower festival was sponsored by the Manba Spring Water Ecological Cooperative and co-organized by the Baping Shanshui Temi Cooperative, Nandan's Tianyuan Travel Agency and Nandan Bicycle Association.

Different from the normal pattern of government organized events, the festival was initiated by local villagers. With the increase of travelling benefit, villagers' enthusiasm in participating in such events was greatly enhanced. Under the support of the local government, people in Baping actively joined in promoting modern agricultural industry and constructing the "Beautiful Village".

The rape flower season of Manba and Baping will last until the end of March.

Edited by Jake Hooson