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At Chao Shan, snow falling on plum trees
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SINCE snow fell on Sunday, Chao Shan, or Mount Chao, in Yuhang has been covered with a thin layer of white ice crystals. Hidden underneath are the beautiful blossoms of 50,000 plum trees that grow on the mountain. Going for a walk that lets you treat on the snow while looking for the delicate blossoms is the perfect way to spend a day in nature.
The mountain is known for, its plum flowers, which modern artist Wu Changshuo described as a “fragrant white ocean.” To Wu, the plum trees on the mountain belong to China’s most beautiful scenes, a landscape so beloved by the artist that his last will was to be buried here.
Now clad in pure white snow, the mountain’s sweet-smelling white and yellow plum flowers have just begun budding. Once the weather gets warmer, pink and deep-red blossoms will open up.
Well before other flowers blossom, the plum trees, a harbinger of spring, shine in their full beauty, making them a popular symbol of perseverance and resilience.
Mount Chao is just one of three traditional places to saunter among a sea of plum blossoms in east China, but it’s special due to the type of plum tree that grows here. While the ordinary blossoms are comprised of five petals, plum blossoms here are unique as they grow six petals.
Hundreds of stone steles are also buried under those trees, works by Chinese artists and calligraphers inspired by the breathtaking landscape.
The mountain is also home to two millennium-old plum trees: Tang Mei, which was planted in Tang Dynasty (AD 618-907) and Song Mei, planted in Song Dynasty (960-1279).
Another highlight is master Wu’s Memorial Hall, located right next to his tomb. Some of his finest calligraphy, painting, poems and seals are exhibited here, as well as a documentary about his life.
That the mountain is far from urban Hangzhou makes it an even nicer place for hiking on gentle slopes and wide stone steps.
Around the mountain’s east entrance there are several local restaurants, as well as a large Chinese restaurant east of Wu’s Memorial Hall.
How to get there:
• Take Metro Line 1 to Linping Station, and then hail a taxi to Chao Shan or take Bus 786 to Die Ma Qiao.
• Take a free shuttle bus (through February 28) which departs from Dragon Stadium in Hangzhou at 8:30am on work days, and 8:30am and 9am during the weekend. The bus terminal is Tangxi Ancient Town. The bus returns at 4pm on work days or 3:30pm and 4pm during the weekend.
Admission: 60 yuan for adults, 30 yuan for kids under 1.5 meters (free for kids under 1.2 m)
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