With the arrival of the Qingming Festival, urban parks in China have seen a surge of visitors seeking spring blossoms, cultural experiences and family-friendly activities.
In Beijing's Taoranting Park, thousands of crabapple trees and hundreds of potted crabapple bonsai have entered peak bloom, drawing crowds with their delicate pink and white petals.
Many residents are drawn to the park during the spring season not only for the view of the flowers, but to take boat rides in its lake. This year, it has also held a spring festival, featuring craft markets and staged poetry recitals, to entice even more springtime visitors.
"It's absolutely beautiful. The crowds are lively, and the scenery is stunning. Spring is wonderful. Everyone is out enjoying the beauty of nature. It makes me very happy," said visitor Liu Jiying.
A dedicated spring viewing route stretches from the park's east gate to its north gate, featuring four scenic nodes. One highlight is a crabapple garden surrounding the park's "screen wall," a traditional brick structure believed to block evil spirits.
Meanwhile, in Zhengzhou, capital of central China's Henan Province, the Green Expo Park has become a popular spring getaway. Over 70 varieties of tulips, totaling nearly one million blooms, blanket the park in a vibrant carpet of colors.
"I came today to take photos and enjoy the scenery. The flowers are even more beautiful and stunning than I imagined," said Yuan Man, a visitor.
Beyond tulips, the park is also showcasing crabapples, peach blossoms and other spring flowers. During the Qingming Festival holiday from Saturday to Monday, the park has increased the number of its daily performances, which include traditional Chinese costume parades and fairy tale plays.
"We expect around 200,000 visitors during the holiday, with families accounting for about 60 percent of the total. To meet their needs, we've expanded our daily activities from 30 to 50 sessions," said Song Jianli, director of the park's cultural performance department.
Falling on April 5 this year, the Qingming Festival, or the Tomb-Sweeping Day, is a traditional Chinese festival for honoring the deceased and paying tributes to ancestors. The three-day holiday also provides a short break for Chinese people to enjoy outdoor activities and sightseeing in pleasant springtime temperatures.
Spring flower season draws crowds to China's city parks
