The Beginning of Spring (立春), the first of the 24 solar terms, has begun this year on Wednesday (February 3). With refreshing spring breeze and favorable temperature, Guangzhou, the "Flower City", starts to embrace seas of colorful blossoms, which makes a spring outing ever more merrier. Where to enjoy expanses of flowers in Guangzhou? Check out the following exhibitions.
Peony exhibit at South China Botanical Garden
第九届华南植物园牡丹花展
Photos/Information Times
A large exhibition of peony flowers will land on South China Botanical Garden, offering visitors a visual feast of over 80 species of peony from Luoyang, China's City of Peonies in Henan province.
Peony, known as "Mu Dan" (牡丹) in Chinese, was elected in a nationwide poll in 2019 as the national flower of China. Representing prosperity, elegance and solemnity, it is nicknamed the "king of flowers". Known for its vast variety of styles and colors, peony is the top choice of flower arrangers.
Peony-themed handicrafts making, flower arranging activities, photography exhibition and Hanfu (the traditional clothing of the Han ethnic group) festival are also scheduled at the garden, enabling visitors to dive deep into the flower culture.
Time: February 11 - March 8
Ticket: 20 yuan; 75% discount of ticket price offered during the Spring Festival (February 11-17)
Transportation: Metro Line 6, Botanical Garden station, Exit A
1. Peach blossom festival at Peach Blossom Ravine
Photos/Baiyun Mountain Scenic Area
Baiyun Mountain Scenic Area is now drawing tourists' attention as peach trees come into bloom in the Peach Blossom Ravine (桃花涧).
Peach blossoms are often seen as the messenger of spring. The Peach Blossom Ravine, occupying an area of about 55,000 square meters, will celebrate the fragrance and vibrancy of spring with flower appreciations, an orienteering event, a poetry competition and creative markets from February 6.
2. Orchid exhibit at Moxing Peak (摩星岭)
Photo/Baiyun Mountain Scenic Area
Park goers are also in for a treat with over 12,000 potted orchid plants of different variety, such as butterfly orchids (phalaenopsis), oncidium, and dendrobium. The elegant blossom is always linked with virtues in Chinese culture and believed to be able to bring people good luck in the new year.
The flower display will open on February 12 and run through February 26. Admission free.
3. Tulip display at Yuntai Garden (云台花园)
Photos/Baiyun Mountain Scenic Area
The Yuntai Garden is set to wow tourists with over 100,000 glowing tulip flowers. Tulip is renowned for its beautiful, showy blossoms with more than 5,000 cultivars, which can fulfill almost all the taste of flower lovers. Flaming red, bright yellow, brilliant pink, ultra violet — the vibrant hues of tulips always bring a hint of spring.
Ticket: 10 yuan
Transportation: Metro Line 2, Baiyun Park station, Exit C
Photo/Information Times
Pyrostegia venusta (or flame vines) are known as festival flowers because of their bright orange color and resemblance to firecrackers. The flower is now flaunting their best appearance in gardens and even street corners across Guangzhou.
Recommended places for appreciating the flower include Liuhuahu Park in Liwan district, South China Botanical Garden in Tianhe district, Haizhuhu Park and Yifu Lu (怡福路) in Haizhu district, and Lingyuan Xilu (陵园西路) in Yuexiu district.
海心沙第28届广州园博会
A view of the 27th Guangzhou Garden Expo on the Haixinsha Island. [Photo/广州市林业和园林局]
The 28th Guangzhou Garden Expo scheduled on the Haixinsha Island will allow visitors to embrace a sea of distinctive blossoms and lush greenery and to experience the festivity of the Spring Festival. Spreading over 100,000 square meters, the expo will open its arms to the public from February 9 to 18, running through the Lunar New Year vacation.
Author & editor: Becky