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September 24, 2014

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Home » City specials » Hangzhou

Flower power brings Hangzhou to life

By Xu Wenwen | September 24, 2014, Wednesday | Print Edition

IN the early fall some flowers bloom. The season is fleeting, however, so best get out there before the petals are nothing but dried up bits of organic material waiting to be swept up by sanitary workers.

Species in season include the sweet smelling osmanthus, cosmos and mysterious equinox flowers.

The following places are famous for autumn flowers. Don’t forget a camera.

Jiangyangfan Eco Park
江洋畈生态公园

Immerse yourself in what appears to be an ocean of flowers — cosmos, ruellia (wild petunias) and sunflowers all compete for attention. Observe closely and watch butterflies and dragonflies dance among them.

Fifteen years ago, there wasn’t a park here, just a marshland between two mountains. The area was filled with sludge from West Lake due to dredging back in 1999.

As time passed, seeds in the sludge began to sprout. Soon, a park was born. Today it boasts some 200 species of plants and 90 types of birds.

Cosmos, a symbol of happiness in Tibet, provide splashes of pink, purple and white. Look closely among the blooms and you will find bees, butterflies and maybe even hummingbirds.

Besides, bulrushes and pine woods create other beautiful backdrops for shutterbugs.

 

How to get there: Take bus No. 42, Y3, 62, or 20, and get off at Ceramic Market by Huyu Road

Manjuelong
满觉陇

This mountainous area is dotted with all kinds of osmanthus trees, with white, brown and gold flowers all blossoming during the autumn.

Many residents believe Manjuelong is the best place to view and admire osmanthus as there are more than 7,000 trees along the mountain paths. Sweet Osmanthus Rain at Manjuelong Village was named one of the “New 10 Must-see Scenes at West Lake.”

In recent years, numerous hostels and guest houses have opened in the area to cater to the growing number of people visiting Manjuelong.

 

How to get there: Take bus K4, K504, Y3 or K5, and get off at Hangzhou Zoo

Hangzhou Botanical Garden
杭州植物园

The red spider lily is pretty special flower. They usually bloom near cemeteries around the autumn equinox (which was yesterday this year, indicating the beginning of autumn in Chinese lunar calendar) and are described in Chinese and Japanese translations of the Lotus Sutra as ominous flowers that grow in diyu, also known as Hell. They are said to guide the dead into the next reincarnation.

When the flower blossoms, its leaves fall to the ground. Conversely, when the leaves grow, the flower wilts. This has given rise to various legends.

One story has it that two fairies responsible for looking after the plant failed in their duty. For punishment, the gods said they could no longer meet each other for the rest of their lives.

The botanical garden features more than 3,000 species of plants. Also blooming now are osmanthus flowers. The chrysanthemums bloom in late autumn.

 

How to get there: Take bus No. 82 or 28, and get off at Yuquan stop

Hangzhou


 

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