Zhangzhou Baihua Village

　　Introduction       Situated in Jiuhu Township, Longhai County, in the southern suburbs of Zhangzhou. Legend has it that during the Ming Dynasty, the Zhu family from Putian fell victim to a conspiracy. One member of the family, Zhu Maolin, fled to the southern outskirts of Zhangzhou. Captivated by the beautiful scenery here, he decided to settle down. Later, he dreamed of an immortal who told him that growing flowers would bring longevity and blessings. He then built large flower gardens, collected rare species, and continued the tradition of growing and selling flowers through generations, which lasts to this day.
　　At the entrance of the village stands a circular arched gate inscribed with the three characters “Bai Hua Cun” (Baihua Village), written by Lu Dingyi. Upon entering, you’ll find a garden courtyard covering an area of over 80 acres, connected by shaded paths and adorned with Buddhist pine bamboo and cypress trees. There are peach, plum, daffodil, crabapple, orchid, magnolia, bamboo, and chrysanthemum plants—flowers of all kinds competing in beauty and available in abundance. In the garden, there is also a small hill with a flower-viewing pavilion, making it a perfect spot to admire the blossoms, enjoy nature, and cultivate one’s spirit. Moreover, there are numerous exquisite potted plants on display, including rustic pines, towering banyans, and graceful stone bamboos, leaving visitors in awe of the artistry, delicacy, and charm of horticulture.
　　Among the various flowerbeds in Baihua Village, the most famous is undoubtedly the “Orchid Garden,” often referred to as the “garden within a garden.” It houses over 3,000 pots of various types of orchids. Vibrant varieties such as the Cymbidium aloifolium, Cymbidium eburneum, Cymbidium sinense, and Cymbidium ensifolium compete brilliantly in color and form. Among them are the extremely precious Golden-edged Cymbidium sinense and Silver-edged Cymbidium sinense, as well as the “Thirteen Guardians,” each spike of which can bloom 13 flowers, and the “Eighteen Scholars,” each spike capable of producing 18 flowers. The fragrance of the orchids is subtle and long-lasting, elegant without being overpowering. Their colors are delicate and refined, never gaudy, with a naturally enchanting charm.

　　 Zhangzhou City, Fujian Province