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Where to go for blooming great views
By Kat Jiang |
April 4, 2011, Monday
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THIS is peak-viewing season for clouds of peach blossoms, cherry blossoms and a heady bouquet of other flowers in Hangzhou. You can choose to visit an annual tulip show, adopt an ancient peach tree or get your fix of flowers in the suburban wetland, for the whole city is in bloom.
Back in the 12th and 13th centuries, when Hangzhou was the capital of Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279), residents of the city would celebrate the blooming of flowers in the second and third lunar months, usually March and April. Throngs of people would go out into the fields, loitering on banks of the numerous lakes, rivers and canals that surrounded the city to enjoy the colorful views offered by nature. The tradition continued for centuries until disappearing in modern times.
This year, Hangzhou has decided to hold a monthlong flower festival to revive the tradition that once gave much joy to the residents and visitors of the city. Blossom-themed festivities will continue until May 18, with Xixi Wetland Park serving as the main fair site. There will be parades, performances, flower appreciation and, probably of most interest to the young, matchmaking events - after all, it is spring and flowers are blooming, so it is the best time to fall in love.
This is a perfect opportunity to appreciate the famous peach blossoms of Hangzhou.
Here are some charming spots where you can savor the floral delights of spring.
Taiziwan Park
Considered one of the most beautiful parks in Hangzhou, it is famous for its annual tulip exhibition. According to park officials, about one-fifth of all 300,000 tulip bulbs are in bloom on the west side of the huge Wangxiping Lawn and the prime time for taking in the multi-colored showy flowers is early April, usually after tomorrow's Qingming Festival, or Tomb-sweeping Day.
The park has introduced 14 new varieties of tulips this year. Most of the "newcomers" will welcome visitors at the north entrance of the park.
In addition, all of the 17 red cherry blossom trees newly introduced from Jinggang Mountain are in full bloom, joining the clouds of pink-and-white cherry blossoms in the park. Orchids, narcissus and hyacinths add more glamor to the flower-filled landscape.
Address: 5-1 Nanshan Road
Admission: Free
Opening hours: 8am-4:30pm
Transport: Buses No. Y9, Y1, Y6, Y7, Y3, K514, K822, K504, or 808 (get off at Su Causeway stop)
Xixi Wetland Park
The prime season for plum blossoms has already started here.
Clouds of flourishing yellow, pink and red plum flowers are begging to be seen in the 100-acre plum tree area. Visitors can also taste plum blossom cake and drink plum blossom wine.
Address: 518 Tianmushan Road
Admission: 80 yuan
Opening hours: 8:30am-5:30pm
Transport: Buses No. K356, K193, K310, K86 (get off at the entrance of Zhoujiacun Village)
Su Causeway
The 3-kilometer-long causeway begins at the foot of Nanping Hill and ends in Qixia Valley. It is lined with peach trees and willows and crossed by six stone bridges. Since the Southern Song Dynasty, "Spring on the Su Causeway" has been considered first among the "Top 10 Sceneries of the West Lake."
Transport: Buses No. 507, 504, K4, Y2 (get off at Su Causeway stop)
Hangzhou Flower Garden
Many local netizens have posted recommendations online of this "secret garden." Next to Yanggong Causeway across the West Lake, the garden is not as popular as the highly favored Taiziwan Park or traditional Hangzhou Botanical Garden. However, it is not inferior to any vantage points in the city for viewing flowers and plants. The magnolias near the east gate of the garden have been chosen by local netizens as one of the best flower views in the city at present. The garden also features a potted landscape yard. The golden primroses and pink begonia flowers add to the sweet spring atmosphere found here.
Address: 14 Xihan Road
Admission: Free
Transport: Buses No. K7, Y6, Y3, Y1, K807, K27 (get off at Hongchunqiao stop or Huangniling stop)
Longjing Eight Views
The first peach flower in the city was spotted in early March on an old peach tree in Longjing Eight Views scenic area, which lies to the west of Shuangfeng Village on Longjing Road, nearly 15 days earlier than the traditional peach blossom-decorated Bai Causeway. The sweet scent of the pink flowers seems to float in the air together with the fresh aroma of tea, making the village a warm and relaxing choice for visitors in spring.
Transport: Buses No. Y3, 27 (get off at South Tianzhu stop)
Hangzhou Botanical Garden
Northwest of the West Lake and near Taoyuan Hill, the garden divided into 10 zones contains more than 3,000 species of plants. The white magnolia (yulan) is blooming on both sides of the road leading to the gate of the garden. The flower is so named because it looks like yu (jade) and smells like lan (orchid). Walking up Yugu Road, visitors can see plum flowers scattered on the hill. When the plum blossoms faded away at the end of March, cherry blossoms take over in early April.
Address: No. 1 Taoyuanling
Admission: 10 yuan
Opening hours: 7am-5:30pm
Transport: Buses No. 28/K28, 82/K82, 15/K15 (get off at Yuquan stop); Buses No. 7, 27 (get off at Qu Yuan Feng He stop)
Back in the 12th and 13th centuries, when Hangzhou was the capital of Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279), residents of the city would celebrate the blooming of flowers in the second and third lunar months, usually March and April. Throngs of people would go out into the fields, loitering on banks of the numerous lakes, rivers and canals that surrounded the city to enjoy the colorful views offered by nature. The tradition continued for centuries until disappearing in modern times.
This year, Hangzhou has decided to hold a monthlong flower festival to revive the tradition that once gave much joy to the residents and visitors of the city. Blossom-themed festivities will continue until May 18, with Xixi Wetland Park serving as the main fair site. There will be parades, performances, flower appreciation and, probably of most interest to the young, matchmaking events - after all, it is spring and flowers are blooming, so it is the best time to fall in love.
This is a perfect opportunity to appreciate the famous peach blossoms of Hangzhou.
Here are some charming spots where you can savor the floral delights of spring.
Taiziwan Park
Considered one of the most beautiful parks in Hangzhou, it is famous for its annual tulip exhibition. According to park officials, about one-fifth of all 300,000 tulip bulbs are in bloom on the west side of the huge Wangxiping Lawn and the prime time for taking in the multi-colored showy flowers is early April, usually after tomorrow's Qingming Festival, or Tomb-sweeping Day.
The park has introduced 14 new varieties of tulips this year. Most of the "newcomers" will welcome visitors at the north entrance of the park.
In addition, all of the 17 red cherry blossom trees newly introduced from Jinggang Mountain are in full bloom, joining the clouds of pink-and-white cherry blossoms in the park. Orchids, narcissus and hyacinths add more glamor to the flower-filled landscape.
Address: 5-1 Nanshan Road
Admission: Free
Opening hours: 8am-4:30pm
Transport: Buses No. Y9, Y1, Y6, Y7, Y3, K514, K822, K504, or 808 (get off at Su Causeway stop)
Xixi Wetland Park
The prime season for plum blossoms has already started here.
Clouds of flourishing yellow, pink and red plum flowers are begging to be seen in the 100-acre plum tree area. Visitors can also taste plum blossom cake and drink plum blossom wine.
Address: 518 Tianmushan Road
Admission: 80 yuan
Opening hours: 8:30am-5:30pm
Transport: Buses No. K356, K193, K310, K86 (get off at the entrance of Zhoujiacun Village)
Su Causeway
The 3-kilometer-long causeway begins at the foot of Nanping Hill and ends in Qixia Valley. It is lined with peach trees and willows and crossed by six stone bridges. Since the Southern Song Dynasty, "Spring on the Su Causeway" has been considered first among the "Top 10 Sceneries of the West Lake."
Transport: Buses No. 507, 504, K4, Y2 (get off at Su Causeway stop)
Hangzhou Flower Garden
Many local netizens have posted recommendations online of this "secret garden." Next to Yanggong Causeway across the West Lake, the garden is not as popular as the highly favored Taiziwan Park or traditional Hangzhou Botanical Garden. However, it is not inferior to any vantage points in the city for viewing flowers and plants. The magnolias near the east gate of the garden have been chosen by local netizens as one of the best flower views in the city at present. The garden also features a potted landscape yard. The golden primroses and pink begonia flowers add to the sweet spring atmosphere found here.
Address: 14 Xihan Road
Admission: Free
Transport: Buses No. K7, Y6, Y3, Y1, K807, K27 (get off at Hongchunqiao stop or Huangniling stop)
Longjing Eight Views
The first peach flower in the city was spotted in early March on an old peach tree in Longjing Eight Views scenic area, which lies to the west of Shuangfeng Village on Longjing Road, nearly 15 days earlier than the traditional peach blossom-decorated Bai Causeway. The sweet scent of the pink flowers seems to float in the air together with the fresh aroma of tea, making the village a warm and relaxing choice for visitors in spring.
Transport: Buses No. Y3, 27 (get off at South Tianzhu stop)
Hangzhou Botanical Garden
Northwest of the West Lake and near Taoyuan Hill, the garden divided into 10 zones contains more than 3,000 species of plants. The white magnolia (yulan) is blooming on both sides of the road leading to the gate of the garden. The flower is so named because it looks like yu (jade) and smells like lan (orchid). Walking up Yugu Road, visitors can see plum flowers scattered on the hill. When the plum blossoms faded away at the end of March, cherry blossoms take over in early April.
Address: No. 1 Taoyuanling
Admission: 10 yuan
Opening hours: 7am-5:30pm
Transport: Buses No. 28/K28, 82/K82, 15/K15 (get off at Yuquan stop); Buses No. 7, 27 (get off at Qu Yuan Feng He stop)
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