From white windmills and rows of colorful tulips to pink flower blossoms framed against austere cathedrals, a bunch of themed activities have been organized across China this spring to make the most of the flower-viewing season.
The First Tulip Cultural Festival kicked off at Changyang Park in Beijing's Fangshan District, including exhibitions of intangible cultural heritage, Chinese musical performances, a flash mob of Hanfu enthusiasts wearing traditional Chinese clothing and traditional tea ceremonies. Some species of tulips from other parts of the world are also represented here and are now in bloom, creating endless photo opportunities for visitors.
The First Tulip Cultural Festival is held at Changyang Park in Fangshan District, Beijing. /CFP
Meanwhile in Tianjin, the annual peach flower blossom festival is featuring a series of cultural events to promote local tourism. Thousands of blossoming flowers are flashing their beauty by the mouth of the city’s Sancha River. This popular spot served as the home of the earliest residential community in Tianjin, as well as its first pier and business district.
Visitors train their lenses on the blossoming peach flowers in Tianjin. /CFP
Fuchsia-colored flowers have been decorating Saint Sophia Cathedral in Harbin City in Heilongjiang Province, adding a romantic vibe to this photogenic spot. Built in 1907, it formerly served as a Russian Orthodox church. However, this city landmark in the downtown area has since been transformed into a museum staging exhibitions and other cultural events.
Bright pink flowers provide a striking contrast with Saint Sophia Cathedral in Harbin City, Heilongjiang Province, which has now been converted into a museum. /CFP
Tourists have also been flocking to Chengde Mountain Resort during the May Day holiday to enjoy the flower season at this large complex of imperial palaces and gardens in Hebei Province in northern China. The resort was used as a summer palace during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), offering an ideal restful environment for the imperial family. Nowadays, it attracts tens of thousands of people every year to enjoy its historical architecture, cultural atmosphere, and fascinating natural environment. The resort was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994.
People flock to Chengde Mountain Resort, a UNESCO-listed site, to enjoy the springtime in Hebei Province. /CFP