[Five Hundred Years of Cherry Blossoms: Zen as Snow]

[Five Hundred Years of Cherry Blossoms: Zen as Snow] At Jingshan Chan Monastery in Jinlong Village, Xikou Town, Xuancheng, Anhui, a Prunus serrulata var. lannesiana tree, having weathered five hundred years of wind and rain, is now blooming with magnificent clouds of blossoms. This "divine cherry blossom tree," listed as a first-class ancient tree in Anhui, boasts contorted branches resembling a dragon reaching for the clouds. Its double-layered blossoms, a blend of pink and white, fall like a shower of petals from a celestial being, infusing a thousand years of Zen into the spring snow. The temple bells chime in harmony with the fragrance of flowers, as white walls and black tiles complement the misty sea of blossoms. Legend has it that during the Jiajing period of the Ming Dynasty, a high-ranking monk prayed here for "blossoms to bloom for all beings, and peace year after year." Today, each falling petal holds half a history of Jiangnan. The carvings of anti-Japanese heroes and the hoofprints of Huizhou merchant horse teams appear faintly in the dappled tree shadows. Ascend the steps for 30 minutes, traversing the swaying bamboo forest, and encounter this centuries-old romance. The blooming period lasts only ten days, but five hundred years of waiting have culminated in this breathtaking display. This spring, cast aside the hustle and bustle, and make a once-in-a-lifetime appointment with these timeless cherry blossoms in front of the ancient Zen temple. 📍Address: Jingshan Chan Monastery, Jinlong Village, Xikou Town, Xuancheng City ⏳Blooming Period: Mid-to-late March to early April 🚶♀️Tips: Comfortable athletic shoes are recommended. The scenery is even more enchanting in the early morning or after the rain when the petals fall.