The Three Whites of Tuancheng are in full bloom, and a garden full of spring

"A single flower does not make a spring, but when all flowers bloom together, the garden is filled with spring." Spring is the season when all things come back to life, and appreciating flowers is one of the most pleasant aspects of life. The Three Whites of Tuancheng in Beihai are not only a visual feast but also a spiritual purification. The lilacs, crabapples, and pear blossoms within Beijing's Tuancheng are in full bloom (the crabapples are almost over), and because the flowers of these three ancient trees are all white, they are known as the "Three Whites of Tuancheng." Located behind the Chengguang Hall. Tuancheng tickets are 1 yuan, and annual passes cannot be used. Ticket checking stops at 17:30, and the gates close at 18:00. You can walk from Shenwumen to the west, or take Line 6 to the North Gate of Beihai Park, go through the South Gate to Tuancheng. The Three Treasures of Tuancheng: 1️⃣ The White Jade Buddha, enshrined in the center of Chengguang Hall, is a statue of Sakyamuni Buddha carved from a single block of Burmese white jade. It is 1.5 meters tall and weighs over 2,400 kilograms, with many red and green gemstones inlaid on the top of the head and the lapels. During the Guangxu period, it was brought from Burma by the monk Mingkuan through alms. 2️⃣ The Great Jade Sea of Dushan, oval-shaped, with cloud dragons, sea pigs, seahorses, sea deer, and other 13 types of sea creatures carved around it. It was completed in December of the second year of the Yuan Dynasty (1265). Kublai Khan decreed that it be placed in the Guanghan Hall on Qionghua Island. In the seventh year of the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty (1579), the Guanghan Hall collapsed due to disrepair, but the Great Jade Sea was fortunately preserved. It ended up outside the Zhenwu Temple near Xihuamen. During the Qianlong period, it was redeemed by Sanhe, the Vice Minister of Works, and presented to Emperor Qianlong. The emperor placed the jade vessel in Tuancheng and built a beautiful glazed pavilion to protect it. 3️⃣ The third treasure, the "White Robed General" and the "Shade Marquis." At the entrance of Tuancheng stands a white pine planted during the Jin Dynasty, tall and straight with a snow-white body, resembling a commanding general at the door. Therefore, Emperor Qianlong conferred the title of "White Robed General" on this ancient pine and composed a poem for it. The Shade Marquis is a pine planted during the Jin Dynasty, with branches and leaves resembling a large umbrella. Emperor Qianlong liked to have a dragon table set up under this tree in summer, where he would compose poetry, paint, and enjoy the scenery. Following the example of Emperor Qin Shi Huang, who conferred titles on the Five Great Pine Trees, he also conferred the title of Shade Marquis on this tree.