Flocking to the flowers

Petal power propels spring travelers to Beijing's parks and scenic spots

Beijing is blooming. Its blossoms are luring a growing number of people to its parks and scenic spots to enjoy the fireworks of flowers as they approach full blast.

This is the best time of the year to view such visual delicacies as mountain peaches, apricots and cherries.

Peng Yang, her husband and their 4-year-old daughter recently visited the capital's Yuyuantan Park to see cherry trees in full bloom. They also invited the families of a few of their daughter's kindergarten classmates.

A growing number of people are turning out to enjoy the colorful blossoms of mountain peaches, apricots and cherries in Beijing's parks. Wei Xiaohao / China Daily. Li Xin and Jin Liwang / Xinhua

"The children were curious about nature and enjoyed one another's company," Peng says.

The kids initially tried to pick the prettiest flowers until their parents intervened.

"Then they tried to catch the tiny petals that wafted from the trees with outstretched hands," she says. "They also enjoyed snapping photos of their favorite flowers. They were so excited to see the yellow winter jasmine that they read its name aloud. They'd just learned about it in class."

They used an app to identify a species after taking photos.

Botanist Shi Jun says: "Parents should learn about the species beforehand so they can teach their kids. If children ask a tough question, they should tell them they don't know the answer rather than pretending."

Shi, who lives in Beijing, founded the Corn Lab, which popularizes science among children on social media. He also makes short videos introducing plant species.

"Chinese have in the past decade increasingly come to appreciate cherry blossoms, most varieties of which come from Japan," Shi says. "They're gorgeous in full bloom ... and are a novelty unlike flowers Chinese previously enjoyed."

Ancient people preferred plum and peach blossoms. Peonies were particularly popular in the Tang Dynasty (618-907). Chinese today prefer roses and lilies, he says.

"We have more species than before, since many - like hyacinths and tulips - have been introduced from around the world," he says.

He recommends people take a moment to notice the ubiquitous small flowers at roadsides, such as purple Chinese violets.

"These little, colorful flowers are also pretty. But many people neglect them in favor of the blossoming trees," he says.

Hiking offers an opportunity for outdoor types to enjoy flowers, as well as nature's other offerings, Yicun Travel's founder Wang Jiarui says. "Mountain peach blossoms are in full bloom on the hills of Beijing's suburbs."

Her agency organizes weekly day trips to the capital's countryside.

"Visitors can drive to these places to enjoy the landscapes and delicious meals at farmhouses," she says.

She recently guided a group to Yanqing county's Xiangtun village to hike a section of unrestored Great Wall and the Dayun Valley.

"It's a relatively easy trek - suitable for newbies. And it offers panoramic views of the zigzagging wall, beacon towers and flowers," she says.

Yicun is organizing April trips to Pinggu district's annual International Peach Blossom Music Festival. Events include exhibitions, cycling and bungee jumping in scenic spots in the district that's blanketed with over 14,000 hectares of peach blossoms.

Visitors can stroll over 200 meters along a glass bridge spanning two cliffs in the Tianyun Mountains.

Vast swaths of Daxing district's Panggezhuang town will bloom with white pear flowers next month. Ancient trees remain in Lihua village, whose name translates as pear flower. It was the imperial family's designated pear supplier during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).

Closer to downtown, the Beijing Botanical Garden hosts up to 10,000 flora species. It will soon host its annual Beijing Peach Flower Festival. The mountain peach blossoms typically reach full bloom a week earlier than what's typical in Beijing.

Yulan Magnolia, forsythia and cornel are also unfolding their petals, so it's the best time to visit the garden.

Entering from the southeast gate leads visitors along a pathway lined with pink blooms. Walking west takes you to the South Lake, where pink mountain peach and yellow winter jasmine blossoms are mirrored in the ripples.

Tulips, Chinese crab apple and cloves will erupt next.

Yuyuantan Park recently launched its annual Cherry Blossoms Culture Festival.

Early warm temperatures caused the first trees to blossom on March 12, the earliest since 2002. They'll burn white, light pink, light green and dark red for about a month.

The park has trained officers to stop and even fine those who pick flowers. About 70 surveillance cameras keep watch.

The park is hosting a flower photography contest until May 5. Winners will get between 100 and 200 yuan ($14.50 to $29; 13 euros to 27 euro; 12 to 23).

It stands to reason that the ancient imperial garden of the Summer Palace presents spectacular patterns of color with the pride of a peacock. The grounds' elegant design earned a UNESCO World Heritage Site listing, after all.

It also hosts traditional pavilions, halls and temples, perched atop and nestled among hills and ponds.

Kunming Lake is wreathed with mountain peach and Yulan magnolia. Other flowers like peonies will bloom soon.

Indeed, popping petals will continue to color Beijing and add to its allure in the coming weeks.

Contact the writer at xulin@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily European Weekly 03/31/2017 page19)