Spring is a time of new beginnings. As winter’s chill slowly fades, fresh shoots rise toward the warming sun, opening to reveal nature’s complete rainbow.
At this time of year, Guiyang, capital of Guizhou province, is flush with bright spring flowers, and bevvies of eager visitors wishing get an eyeful of the city’s best buds.
Winter jasmine
Winter jasmine is named so because its earliest blooms start coming through in February. Known as one of the “Four Gentlemen of Winter”, along with plum blossoms, narcissus and camellia, frost resistant winter jasmine is one of the most common flowers in China.
The best places to see winter jasmine’s in Guiyang are Hebin Park and Guanshanhu Park.
Transportation: to Hebin Park, take 1,2,4,11,15 bus lines; to Guanshanhu Park, take 47, 208, 209, 246 bus lines to the City Administration Center station or Southwest Food Plaza station, or 71, 237, Guanshan 6 bus lines to the Jianhu Road station.
Magnolia
The floral language of magnolia is purity and nobility, according to its Chinese characters. Blooming from February to March, magnolias are widely planted in China. Nanzhao county in Henan province registered as the home of Chinese magnolias by the Chinese Society of Forestry.
The best places in Guiyang to see magnolias are Guanshanhu Park, Huahua town and Youer village.
Transportation: to Guanshanhu Park, take 47, 208, 209, 246 bus lines; to the City Administration Center station or Southwest Food Plaza station, or 71, 237, Guanshan 6 bus lines to the Jianhu Road station; to Huahua town, take 251, 252, 253, 56 bus lines, transfer at Shunhai station for rural bus line to Yangchang town; to Youer village, take a bus to Qingzhen town at Jinyang Bus Station, and then transfer at Qingzhen town to a bus approaching to Wanger village.
Peach blossoms
Peach blossoms, symbolizing love and romance, come into flower in March.
One of the best places for visitors to see peach blossom is Wanmu peach plantation in Yongle township.
Transportation: take a bus from Guanshui Road station to Yongle township, or drive to Yongle township through Lovers’ Valley.