Spring in Beijing

When you stand amid a sea of flowers in the parks or gardens, you will be aware that spring has come to every corner of Beijing. The whole city wakes up with flowers blooming here and there between late March and mid-May. Timing is everything when you search out the spring flowers. Beijing is an enchanting place to spend your spring when the flowers are in full bloom. Cherry Blossoms The cherry blossom is Japan's national flower. In the early twentieth century, Japan started to present flowering cherry trees as gifts to other countries as symbols of goodwill. In the 1970s, 180 cherry trees were sent to China as gifts from Japan and were planted in the Cherry Blossom Garden, northwest of Yuyuantan Park. As time passed, more and more cherry trees were cultivated in the park, and today, Yuyuantan Park has become one of the largest parks in northern China. Every spring, the Cherry Blossom Festival is held to show off the over 2,000 cherry trees , made up of 20 species. It attracts many flower lovers as well as photographers from far and wide. March and April are the best times to see the cherry blossoms. Cherry blossoms bloom for a very short time, just a week or two from flowering to withering. Sightseeing Site : Yuyuantan Park, Summer Palace Blossom Time : March 30 - April 30 Magnolia Magnolia is the best-known flower species in Beijing . It can be seen in parks, gardens, along the streets, as well as in the city's many Buddhist temples. Temples are surrounded by mountain peaks that block the cold wind, creating a favorable warm and humid environment that has helped magnolia trees to thrive. Among the many temples, Tanzhe Temple and Dajue Temple have long been famous for their Magnolia trees . Magnolia is the symbol of Dajue Temple. What's so special about the magnolia in Dajue Temple? Dajue Temple The magnolia tree in Siyitang Yard of Dajue Temple is said to be 300 years old, planted by a Buddhist monk named Jialing who lived in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). It blossoms each year around early April. The magnolia flowers in Dajue Temple are exceptionally large, bright, elegant, and fragrant . These eye-catching flowers surpass other magnolias in Beijing, drawing flocks of tourists each spring. Visitors usually appreciate the flowers while sipping a cup of spring tea in the temple. The aroma of tea and flowers, combined with the beauty of ancient trees and historical sites, makes Dajue Temple a peaceful and pure escape from the city.