Magnolia Photo provided to Hangzhoufeel
Places
By Zhu Jingning
It's hard to figure out when spring really begins in Hangzhou and where to find the first signs of it.
It might be the sight of a few red plum branches swaying gently under an overpass, or the small flowers with their names unknown on a roadside as one strolls along in a warm and sunny afternoon.
The plums are still in full bloom. And now cherries and magnolias have joined the pagent.
Here are some of the recommended places for flower picnics!
Magnolia flowers
The magnolia is a tree with thickly petaled, pink, cream or white flowers with star-shaped petals pointing upward. Walking across the streets these days, you will be enveloped in its fresh fragrance.
Faxi Temple
Time: from now to mid-March
An over 500-year-old magnolia is seen in full bloom at Faxi Temple in Shangtianzhu (上天竺）. The tree is 12 meters tall with an average crown width of 7.5 meters. It is said that the tree was planted during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). Come here to enjoy a relaxing day in perfect harmony.
Hangzhou Botanical Garden
Time: from now to mid-March
The Tianmu Magnolia, a treasure of the Hangzhou Botanic Garden and an attractive starring flower, is in its most beautiful season this week. With a narrow distribution area, the species was once classified as vulnerable by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species in 2014.
Cherry blossoms
There is no need to rush off to Japan for multiple shades of sakura, you can enjoy the cherry blossom season right here in Hangzhou, a sub-tropical city facilitating the growth of vast stretches of beautiful flowers.
Miji Village, Lin'an district
Time: from now to late March
The Chinese red cherries in the village of Miji are ushering in the full-blossom season across the valley. To make the cherry industry an engine of growth, the village encourages villagers to take part in the daily care of the garden and to develop cherry blossom cuisine and cultural products to create an authentic cherry blossom town.
Taiziwan Park
Time: from Mid-March to early April
Located on the Nanshan Road, the park has always been a popular place for school outings and picnics in spring and autumn. There are about 1,200 cherry blossoms, most of which were planted when the park was built in 1988.