People admire cherry blossoms at Wuhan University.
Rapeseed flowers are in full bloom in Kaiping City, where photography enthusiasts frantically press their camera shutters.
“It’s spring again with flowers blooming everywhere—the wild azaleas on Tianlu Mountain are in full bloom once more. Photography lovers, nature explorers, and wildflower admirers... let’s go appreciate them together!” Recently, an activity notice issued by the Jiangmen Outdoor Sports Exploration Association has attracted numerous “travel enthusiasts.” It is understood that although the notice was only issued about 10 days ago, over 200 people have already signed up, surpassing the organizers’ initial expectation of “seeing if we could get over 100.”
According to reporters from travel agencies, in recent years, every spring sees many “photography enthusiasts” traveling in groups to take photos. In response to this demand, some travel agencies have specially launched a series of domestic photography tours themed around “spring flower viewing” this year, with some itineraries and scenic spots differing from regular sightseeing groups.
Other regions
Rapeseed flowers, cherry blossoms, and peonies all in bloom
What are some unique flower viewing and “shooting” spots in China during spring?
Spring is the season when rapeseed flowers are in full bloom, and Wuyuan in Jiangxi is one of the best places to see them. Wuyuan has been selected by many media outlets as “one of the ten places one must visit in a lifetime,” making it a perfect time for spring outings in the vibrantly colored county.
Since early March, the cherry blossom season has arrived. The main domestic spots for cherry blossom viewing and photography are centered around Wuhan University. The annual Wuhan University Cherry Blossom Festival in March attracts many artsy youths and photography enthusiasts. It is understood that Wuhan University’s cherry blossoms bloom in mid-March, with a relatively short flowering period of only about 13 to 20 days, peaking in late March. Every year when the cherry blossoms are in bloom, over a million visitors come specifically to see them.
If you want to admire peonies, don’t miss the Peony Festival held in Luoyang. Every April to May is the season of the peony. The blooming peonies flood the city of Luoyang, and the grand, noble flowers have become a popular subject for photography enthusiasts.
Besides being intoxicated by the brilliant blooms, why not venture into the primeval forests for an “oxygen-rich” journey? The Xishuangbanna Primitive Forest Park features tropical valley rainforests, where you can enjoy unique sights such as buttress roots and ancient vines along the way. Moreover, the Water-Splashing Festival in Xishuangbanna in April is the most grand local celebration, adding a fresh experience to any trip to Yunnan in April.
Near home
Watchtowers and pristine natural beauty abound
“It can be said that across the land of Wuyi, there are beautiful sceneries everywhere. Whether seeking history or enjoying the presence of notable figures, or simply vacationing and sightseeing to relax—Jiangmen is a fantastic place,” said Li Jiancheng, a master photographer in China and a Jiangmen-based photographer. In his view, Jiangmen is also a great spot for spring photography. “With the bright spring weather now, photography enthusiasts might as well use their cameras to seek out and record the beauty of Jiangmen.”
Kaiping watchtowers and Taishan Western-style buildings can be described as an outdoor exhibition hall of global architectural culture, gathering architectural styles from various regions. The reason Kaiping watchtowers have become a UNESCO World Heritage Site is not only due to reflecting the history of overseas Chinese but also, importantly, because this blend of Chinese and Western architectural culture is rare in the world.
Jiangmen also boasts ecological culture rarely seen in the Pearl River Delta. Stone Village in Enping, Cen Cave Primitive Forest, Phoenix Gorge Scenic Area in Taishan, and Bird Paradise in Xinhui all maintain their pristine state very well.
In the rural areas of various counties in Jiangmen’s Wuyi region, ancestral halls and old residences can be commonly seen and preserved. These structures are lightweight, airy, and simple in form, yet exquisitely and gorgeously decorated, making extensive use of folk crafts such as wood carving, brick carving, ceramics, and lime sculpture. Window lattices, decorative screens, and louvered windows are all finely carved. Zhouyuan Li Ancestral Hall in Hetang, the Five Great Ancestral Halls in Waihai, and others are considered typical representatives of Lingnan architecture, while Kaiping Lai Garden is an outstanding example of Lingnan gardens.
Professional photography tours become new favorite for spring outings
In March, when spring scenery is at its most beautiful, and spring is the prime time for photography, reporters learned that many “photography enthusiasts” are also venturing out in groups to capture the beauty.
And reporters learned from travel agencies such as Jucheng Holidays that, in response to tourists’ “photography” needs, some agencies have for the first time this year launched a series of domestic photography tours themed around “spring flower viewing.” Some itineraries and scenic spots differ from regular sightseeing groups. It is introduced that the photography tours mainly focus on domestic destinations such as Nyingchi in Tibet, Shangri-La in Yunnan, and Pingyao Ancient Town in Shanxi. Moreover, some photography group itineraries have been specially designed—for example, with ample shooting time and appropriate locations, better suiting the “tastes” of photography enthusiasts. In addition, for routes accompanied by photographers, photography exchange sessions are held before departure, during the trip, and after the tour, with senior photographers providing timely guidance, offering considerable professionalism and relevance.