Following the Fragrance of Flowers

“Look! Flowers! The flowers have blossomed! When did this begin?” a passerby exclaimed on March 16, 2009, at the blossoms of a peach tree near the BTM offices just off Wenzhang Hutong in Chongwen District. Not that long ago, a cold blast from the north had knifed its way into people’s lives, leaving the ground covered with a late spring snow. Just days later, the peach blossoms arrived unannounced in a startling fashion.

Ready or not, the grass, trees and flowers must come to life. Peach, magnolia, apricot, pear, lilac, tulip, oriental cherry, Chinese flowering crab-apple and peony blossoms… wait! there are so many springing forth in a burst of colour. All will bloom from now to May in Beijing, with each enjoying its ultimate moment in the sun. And the best thing is that many of these blossoms may be viewed in some relatively concentrated, though beautiful, places. Embracing large areas of flowers, breathing the cool air of spring and stretching lazily in an urban park is a favourite and exiting way to spend a spring day in the capital. So get off your couch, shake off the slumbers of winter and enjoy Beijing’s outdoors.

The blossoms won’t wait long: some are here today and gone tomorrow. So enjoy them while you can. BTM suggests these spring tourist routes to help you get started on your quest for spring blossoms. In addition, some parks and suburban gardens are also ready to welcome out-of-town tourists to their special local flower festivals.

 

Peach Blossoms(Taohua)

Peach blossoms are synonymous with taohuayun (peach blossom luck) in the spring, which means excitement and romance may come your way, especially if you are in love. If you are still single and alone, mingle with peach blossoms to find your luck. Lovers should place themselves among peach blossoms to get close to the love of nature. Anyway, the prosperous peach blossom is always irresistible and enjoyable.

 

Period: Early April to mid-May

Best site: Beijing Botanical Garden (urban), Pinggu District (suburban)

 

Beijing Botanical Garden

This garden is renowned for its variety of plants and its annual World Famous Flowers Expo in Beijing. With more than 20,000 peach trees of 70 varieties, the garden is said the best place to view peach blossoms in the world. The annual peach flower festival in this garden, held since 1989, is a top lure for Beijing residents in the springtime. Of course, this may involve some crowds; so be prepared.

Open: 7 a.m.–5 p.m.

Tel: +86 10 6259 1283

Address: 1 Wofosi Lu, Xiangshan, Haidian District

北京植物园，海淀区香山卧佛寺路1号

Admission: 10 yuan

WWW: http://www.beijingbg.com/English

 

How to get there:

By bus: 331, 634, 696, 714, 733, 318, 360. There are two main visitor entrances, on Xiangshan Nanlu and Xiangyi Lu.

If you drive: From the Summer Palace go straight onto Xiangyi Lu and drive 10 kilometres, then turn right into the parking lot. From the Fifth Ring Road, exit at Fragrant Hills drive and continue for 0.8 kilometres before turning right into the parking lot. There is a visitors’ entrance and attended parking (for a fee) at the South Gate.

 

Pinggu District

If you can’t bear the teeming crowds at the Beijing Botanical Garden but don’t want to waste your spring days, try a one-day flower adventure to Pinggu District, a wise choice. Here you can get lost in a sea of peach blossoms, because no place in Beijing can rival Pinggu. The annual Pinggu International Peach Blossom Festival lasts to mid-May. During this season, Pinggu District is covered with colourful peach blossoms. The Taohuahai (Peach Blossom Sea), Taohuayuan (Peach Blossom Garden), Xiaojin Shan, Daling, Xinggong, Emei Shan, Zhushui and Jinhai Lake are all good places to view flowers. Here are some suggested routes to help you save time and enjoy your day in the peach blossom sea:

 

 Route: Taohuayuan—50-kilometre peach blossom corridor—Taohuahai—Xiaojinshan—Daling—Pinggu downtown—Yuzishan—Jingdong Grand Canyon

 

Depart Beijing at 8 a.m., take the Airport Expressway to Shunyi District, then take Shunping Lu eastward to Guanzhuang Lukou; turn left on Misan Lu and continue to Taohuahai (about 9:10 a.m.). Spend a half hour viewing at Taohuayuan, then continue on Misan Lu, crossing the 50-kilometre peach blossom corridor, to Dahuashan Taohuahai (about 10 a.m.). Use the Taohuahai Sightseeing Platform to enjoy the flowers and take pictures. Half an hour later, go on to the small island in the flower sea to the Xiaojinshan Flower-Seeing Pavilion for an aerial view. Depart Xiaojinshan at about 11 a.m. and continue to Daling, for a short stay, before continuing to Pinggu Town (11:30 a.m.) for lunch. There are many dining choices here, such as the Yuyang Hotel (Tel: +86 10 6998 9988), Beijing Dongxiaoxinyue Hotel (Tel: +86 10 8999 2288) and the Beijing Xingyuxinzuo Hotel (Tel: +86 10 6997 5045). After lunch (about 1 p.m.) go east on Pingji Lu (see the map), then turn left at Zhangxinzhuang Lukou or Xiayu Lukou onto Xiayu Lu. Continue northward along Xiayu Lu to Jingdong Grand Canyon (about 1:30 p.m.) where you can view beautiful mountain scenery, forests and the canyon there. At about 3 p.m., prepare to return to the city. On the road, not far from Jingdong Grand Canyon, you will come to Yuzishan, an old village. This is a nice place to pick up some strawberries in season. This village was also a battlefield during the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. After the strawberry pick-up, head back to Beijing via Pingji Lu and Shunping Lu.

 

Tips:

You also can have a special lunch in the famers’ homes in the villages; this is an inexpensive choice and it’s always good. Try the villages of Laoquankou (village committee telephone: +86 10 6196 1334), Guajiayu (Tel: +86 10 6194 6838) or Yuzishan (Tel: +86 10 6096 8938). If you want to extend your stay in the countryside, accommodations in the farmers’ homes are available. After a good rest, you can continue your Pinggu adventure along Pingji Lu east to Jinhai Lake, eastern Beijing’s Great Stalactite Cavern, and continue to Jiangjunguan, where a section of the Great Wall built with rocks awaits you.

 

Pinggu District Tourism Administration

Tel: +86 10 8999 1991

Magnolias (Yulan)

The beautiful yulan is one of the most outstanding blossoms of this or any other season because of its elegant colour and style. Words fail, however, in describing this beauty; you must see them yourself.

Escape the tedium of work and urban life with a visit to Beijing’s temples. At this comfortable time of year, you can enjoy the yulan in peaceful solitude.

 

Period: Early to mid-April

Best site: Chang’an Jie (urban), Dajue Temple (Haidian District), Tanzhe Temple (Mentougou District)

 

Chang’an Jie

The yulan flowers are as famous as this street and the lamps that line it. They are a favourite of photographers. Exit the Tian'anmen West station of Beijing Subway Line 1, and you will immediately find yourself in the presence of more than 40 yulan trees lining the red walls of Zhongnanhai. The solemn red wall and lovely white flowers provide a vivid contrast; put yourself in the picture for a wonderful memory.

 

Admission: free

How to get there:

By bus: 1, 4, 52 to Tian’anmen West

By subway: Line 1 to Tian’anmen West
 

Tanzhe Temple

This hillside temple is a complex of pavilions, prayer halls, courtyards and pagodas dating from the Yuan (1271–1368), Ming (1368–1644) and Qing (1644–1911) dynasties. How long is the history of this temple? It’s hard to say. It’s said the Tanzhe Temple (Tanzhesi) ushered in the building of Beijing city. In addition to its long history, the Tanzhe Temple is  famous for two yulan trees of a rare species known locally as Erqiao, which are said to be more than 300 years old. In spring, the big trees, bearing thousands of flowers with a purple hue, presents a unique scene attracting many people to come specially for them.

Admission: 35 yuan

Tel: +86 10 6086 2500

Address: Tanzhe Mountain, Mentougou District

潭柘寺，门头沟区潭柘山麓

 

How to get there:

By bus/subway: Get off Subway Line 1 at Pingguoyuan Station to take bus 931 to Tanzhe Temple or take bus you (tourist bus) 7 at Qianmen or Fuchengmen to this temple

If you drive: Use the G108 National Road to the Tanzhe Temple turnoff.

 

Dajue Temple

Like the old temple, built in 1068, viewing the yulan at Dajue (Great Enlightenment) Temple (Dajuesi) has a long history. The white yulan in this temple have long been admired. Their shapes, colours and fragrance are the best in Beijing. A 300-year-old yulan there, it is said, was transplanted from Sichuan Province during the Qing Dynasty (1644–1911). There were many poems in the old time to describe this particular yulan tree. Located in the mountains with lower temperatures than in the urban area, the yulan flowers at Dajue Temple can last to the middle of April. For a break, you can taste good tea and enjoy soothing music available at this temple.

Admission: 20 yuan

Tel: +86 10 6245 6163

Address: Bei'anhe Township, Sujiatuo Town, Haidian District

大觉寺，海淀区苏家坨镇北安河乡

 

How to get there:

By bus/subway: Take Subway Line 13 to Shangdi Station and transfer to bus 633 at Shangdi Bridge to Dajue Temple; take bus 346, 330 at the Summer Palace to Wenquan and transfer to 903 to Dajue Temple.

If you drive: Take the Badaling Expressway and exit at the Beianhe Exit (the ninth exit); head west on Beiqing Lu to its end, then turn left to the Dajue Temple following road signs in the area.

 

Apricot Flowers(Xinghua)

Apricot blossoms are among the first to blossom in the spring. Its coming always brings surprise and delight.

 

Period: Late March to mid-April

Best site: Fenghuangling (Haidian District), Badaling Great Wall (Yanqing County)

 

Fenghuangling (Phoenix Mountain) Nature Park

Early April is the best time for viewing apricot blossoms at Fenghuangling. From the hillside to the valley, the mountain is covered with the pink and white flowers. As the mountain is huge, you never feel crowded when strolling among the flowers.

Springs once bubbled up from mountains where ancient temples are nestled among an array of flora.

Admission: 25 yuan

Tel: +86 10 6245 5933

Address: 19 Fenghuanling Lu, Sujiatuo Township, Haidian District

凤凰岭自然风景区，海淀区苏家坨镇凤凰岭路19号

WWW: http://www.bjfhl.com

 

How to get there:

By bus: Take 346 at the East Gate of the Summer Palace to the terminal

If you drive: Take the Badaling Expressway to the Beianhe Exit; head west on Beiqing Lu, then north on Jing–Mi Yinshuiqu (the Beijing–Miyun water canal); follow road signs in the area.

 

Badaling Great Wall

On the hillsides of Badaling, there are many apricot trees blossoming around the Tomb Sweeping Festival (Qingmingjie) that falls on April 5. Normally, the flowering period of apricot is about 10 days, but because of the complex mountain topography and climate, the flowers last up to a week longer at Badaling. After the apricot period in April, other flowers gradually bloom on the mountains, giving people a good reason to climb the Great Wall in spring.

Admission: 45 yuan

Tel: +86 10 6912 1737

Address: Badaling, Yanqing County

延庆县八达岭长城

 

How to get there:

By bus: Take 919 from Deshengmen to the Great Wall; take the special tourist bus to Badaling from Beijing Hub of Tour Dispatch at Tiananmen (6:30 a.m.–10 a.m.)

If you drive: Use the Badaling Expressway and take the Badaling Exit. Follow road sign to your destination

 

Pear Blossoms(Lihua)

When describing a weeping beauty in Chinese literature, people always use the phrase Lihua daiyu (pear blossom bathed in the rain). People compare the faces of beauty with pear blossoms. But, to experience a pear blossom rain, you have a good place to go.

 

Period: around mid-April

Best site: Panggezhuang (Daxing District)

 

Panggezhuang Wan-Mu Pear Garden

The pear blossoms seem always to bloom in one night. It is difficult to express the excitement you feel when surrounded by this flower sea. It’s like a fairytale world that’s really available: in Lihua Village (pear blossom village) in Panggezhuang Township, Daxing District. In this village, there are more than 30,000 pear trees at least 100 years old. In addition, there are more than 40 varieties of pear trees older than 200 years, including a 416-year-old one. It seems that beautiful things always have a short life; this flowering period lasts for about one week only.

There are other things to delight you. Some greenhouse "mini-watermelon," potherb and mushroom items are ready for purchase. There are also folk cultural performances during the pear blossom festival.

Admission: 10 yuan

Tel: +86 10 8928 8545

Address: Lihua Village, Panggezhuang Township, Daxing District

庞各庄万亩梨园，大兴区庞各庄镇梨花村

 

How to get there:

By bus: Take 937 zhi 2 at Lishi Lu or 943 at Yongdingmen to Lihua Village

If you drive: Take the Jing-Kai Expressway from Yuquanying to the Lihua Bridge to exit; continue about 100 metres before turning right onto the bridge; turn left after cross and go straight for about three kilometres to Lihua Village.

 

 

Tulips(Yujinxiang)

In the lore of flowers, the tulip is used to represent the “expression of love.” This spring, viewing tulips with your lover can be a romantic experience. But you don’t need to go to Netherlands to see them: we have them in Beijing.

 

Period: Mid-April to early May

Best site: Zhongshan Park, Beijing Garden of World’s Flowers

 

Zhongshan Park

The annual tulip festival in Zhongshan Park is a good chance for locals and tourists to appreciate the exotic beauty of tulips. In this park, there are about 500,000 tulips of 142 varieties. The tulips are designed in all shapes to welcome the tourists.

Admission: 10 yuan

Tel: +86 10 6605 5431

Address: 4 Zhonghua Lu, Dongcheng District

中山公园，东城区中华路4号

 

How to get there:

By bus: Take bus 1, 4, 5, 10, 37, 52, 726, 802 to Tiananmen Xi

By subway: Subway Line 1 to Tiananmen West

 

Beijing Garden of World’s Flowers

Beijing Garden of Worlds Flowers is a new destination for enjoying flowers. The garden is divided into different areas, each featuring the most popular flower or flowers in a country. There are a lot of tulips in the Netherlands area.

Admission: 50 yuan

Tel: +86 10 6752 0526

Address: 235 Nan Sihuan Zhonglu, Fengtai District

北京世界花卉大观园，丰台区南四环中路235号

 

How to get there:

By bus: 646, 377

 

Peony(Mudan)

In many people’s minds, the peony represents nobility and elegance. Many cities in China are famous for peonies, such as Luoyang in Henan Province and Heze in Shandong Province. Beijing is also a famous place to view these beloved shrubs and their flowers..

 

Period: Late April to early May

Best site: Jingshan Park, Beijing Guosetianxiang Peony Garden (Huairou District)

 

Jingshan Park

The park features 150 peony varieties, including the "imperial peony" said to be the most elegant of all species.

Admission: 2 yuan

Tel: +86 10 6404 4071

Address: 44 Jingshan Xijie, Xicheng District (North of the Forbidden City)

景山公园，西城区景山西街44号

 

How to get there:

By bus: 101, 103, 111, 812, 814

 

Beijing Guosetianxiang Peony Garden

"Guosetianxiang" meaning "surpassing beauty and fragrance," is the most popular attribution to the peony flowers. The 300 mu (200-hectare) garden in Huairou County is the largest of its kind in China, where 600 varieties of the four main Chinese species of this shrub are grown.

The garden has been venue of the annual Beijing Huairou Peony Festival since 2004, featuring performances of Tang Dynasty (618–907) dancing and talks on the history of peony cultivation dating from 1,500 years ago.

Admission: 30 yuan

Tel: +86 10 6967 5127

Address: West of Qianqiaozi Village, Qiaozi Township, Huairou District

北京国色天香牡丹园，怀柔区桥梓镇前桥梓村西

 

How to get there:

By bus: Take bus 942 to Beijing Guosetianxiang Peony Garden

 

Huairou District Tourism Administration

Tel: +86 10 6964 6250

 

Lilacs(Dingxiang)

Lilacs are often a traditional symbol of melancholy in Chinese literature. Dai Wangshu (1905–50), a poet, triggered many peoples’ sympathies by comparing a girl gnawed by anxiety to a "bouquet of lilacs" in a poem.

Period: late April

Best site: Temple of Heaven (urban), Jietai Temple (Mentougou District)

Temple of Heaven

Lilac flowers may be too small for easy picture taking, but their sweet, fragrant smell is always alluring. The Temple of Heaven is the best place for lilaclovers. On the west side of the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, a 150-metre lane is lined with 240 lilac groves. Take a stroll there in a spring day and the fragrance will daze you.

Admission: 15 yuan

Tel: +86 10 6702 8866

Address: A1 Tiantan Beilu, Chongwen District

天坛公园，崇文区天坛北路甲1号

 

How to get there:

By subway: Subway Line 5 to Tiantan Dongmen Station

 

Jietai Temple

Some temples in Beijing are famous not only as places of worship. They have beautiful scenery and represent a rich culture. Jietai Temple is one of them.

Once there, you may learn from your guide tales of ancient trees in the temple, including the Jiulong Pine (or Nine-Dragon Pine), which is said to be more than 1,300 years old.

Built during the Tang Dynasty, the temple is a tree lover’s delight with the main complex liberally dotted with ancient pines, many of which have their own quirky names.

But the Jietai Temple offers more than old pine trees. Its annual lilac culture festival also attracts visitors. Among the 1,000-odd lilac trees, more than 20 are older than 200 years. Young lovers can often be spotted looking for these five-petalled flowers, a symbol of happiness.

Admission: 35 yuan

Tel: + 86 10 6980 6611

Address: South of Ma’anshan, Mentougou District

戒台寺，门头沟区马鞍山麓

 

How to get there:

Subway/Bus: Take you (tourist bus) 7 at Qianmen or Fuchengmen bound for Jietai Temple; take Subway Line 1 to Pingguoyuan Station to transfer to bus 931 to Jietai Temple

If you drive: Take the G108 National Road to Jietai Temple

 

Oriental Cherry Blossoms(Yinghua)

Oriental cherry blossoms are very short-lived, only about seven days in early spring.

 

Period: Late March to early April

Best site: Yuyuantan Park

 

Yuyuantan Park

To view oriental cherry blossoms, you don’t need to go to Japan. You can enjoy the elegance and beauty of these flowers in Yuyuantan Park, where the 21st Oriental Cherry Blossom Festival is being held. About 2,000 oriental cherry trees, in 20 varieties, are expected to blossom during the festival from March 24 to April 30, but the period may be extended or cut short according to the flowering of the trees. Check the park’s Web site before going.

Admission: 10 yuan

Tel: +86 10 8865 3800

Address: 10 Xi Sanhuan Zhonglu, Haidian District

玉渊潭公园，海淀区西三环中路10号

WWW: http://www.beijingyuyuantanpark.com

 

How to get there:

By bus: To the East Gate, take bus 68, 320, 114 or 717 to Yuyuantan

To the South Gate, take bus 1, 4 or 728 to Military Museum

To the West Gate, take bus 300 to Hangtianqiao

 

Chinese Flowering Crab-Apple (Haitang)

Chinese flowering crab-apples bloom a little later than the peach or oriental cherries. But its blooming lasts for a longer time. Many people love this flower’s fragility and elegance.

 

Period: Mid to late April

Best site: Beijing Yuan Dynasty City Wall Relics Park

 

Beijing Yuan Dynasty City Wall Relics Park

The Chinese flowering crab-apple flower festival has been held annually since 1998 at Yuan Dynasty City Wall Relics Park. In the park, there is a place called Haitanghuaxi (Chinese Flowering Crab-Apple River), the best place to view these flowers. More than 3,000 Chinese flowering crab-apple trees await you.

Admission: free

Tel: +86 10 8464 8251

Address: A8 Shaoyaoju, Taiyanggong,

Chaoyang District

元大都城垣遗址公园，朝阳区太阳宫芍药居甲8号

 

How to get there:

By bus: 941, 21, 734, 849, 921, yuntong 101, 422, 62, 847

By subway: Subway Line 10 or 13 to Shaoyaoju Station