Hangzhou Chaoshan: The Ultimate Plum Blossom Viewing Experience in Jiangnan.
🌅 “Jiangnan has nothing to offer, but a plum blossom branch in spring.” When the February breeze gently blows, Hangzhou Chaoshan welcomes its most beautiful season—the blooming of plum blossoms. In this poetic season, stepping onto Chaoshan is like stepping into a beautiful ink painting, where plum blossoms are everywhere, and the faint fragrance of plum blossoms fills the air. Today, we'll share a comprehensive guide to plum blossom viewing in Chaoshan, so you can easily encounter this romance unique to early spring in Jiangnan.💕
1. Weather and Outfit
☁️ In February, Hangzhou is still a bit chilly, with average temperatures around 5–15°C. Be sure to check the weather forecast before you go and choose a sunny day for better plum blossom viewing and photos. If you encounter cloudy or rainy days, it also has a unique charm, as the plum blossoms in the misty rain add a touch of poetry.
👗 For clothing, we recommend warm and stylish attire. You can wear a soft sweater as a base layer and a thick coat, such as a down jacket or overcoat. Pair them with jeans or a long skirt and comfortable sneakers for easy walking in the mountains of Chaoshan. Don't forget to bring a scarf, hat, and gloves for warmth and as fashionable accessories for photos. For more vibrant photos, choose brightly colored clothing, such as red or yellow, to contrast with the white plum blossoms, creating stunning visuals.
2. Best Time to Visit
⏰ Chaoshan's plum blossoms usually bloom from late January to early March, with February being the best viewing period. During this time, the plum blossoms are in full bloom, covering the mountains and plains, creating a breathtaking sea of flowers. We recommend visiting on a working day to avoid crowds and enjoy the plum blossoms at your leisure, without having to queue for photos. If you can only visit on weekends, try to arrive early. The plum blossoms with morning dew are even more beautiful, and there are fewer people.
3. Itinerary
🎫 After entering the Chaoshan Scenic Area, you can start your tour from the East Garden. The East Garden is the core area for plum blossom viewing in Chaoshan, with a large number of plum blossoms planted, including white, red, and green calyx plum varieties. Stroll along the winding paths, as if you are in a world of plum blossoms, with different plum blossom poses at every step.
🌸 First, visit the "Song Mei" of Chaoshan, an ancient plum tree with a thousand years of history and a treasure of the mountain. Despite the vicissitudes of time, its branches are still strong, and when it blooms every year, the tree is full of flowers, making people marvel at the tenacity of life.
💐 Next, visit the "Fuxiang Pavilion," the perfect spot to enjoy a panoramic view of the plum blossoms. Standing on the pavilion, you can see the plum blossoms covering the mountains and plains, as gorgeous as pink clouds.
🌳 After descending from Fuxiang Pavilion, walk along the lakeside path to the "Damingtang." Damingtang is a simple courtyard filled with plum blossoms, where you can quietly admire the flowers and enjoy the tranquility and beauty.
🌺 After leaving Damingtang, head to the North Garden. The plum blossoms in the North Garden are more scattered than in the East Garden, but they have a unique charm. There are large plum groves where you can walk among the blossoms, get up close and personal with the flowers, and take beautiful photos. In the North Garden, you can also climb to the top of Chaoshan Mountain and overlook the entire scenic area. The rolling mountains and blooming plum blossoms create a beautiful picture.
4. Nearby Attractions
🏞️ There are many other attractions worth visiting near Chaoshan. You can visit them after your plum blossom viewing trip.
Tangqi Ancient Town: Not far from Chaoshan, it is a water town with a thousand years of history. Many ancient buildings from the Ming and Qing Dynasties are preserved here, with ancient bridges, streets, and houses scattered throughout. Stroll along the bluestone roads of the ancient town and enjoy the leisure and tranquility. You can taste local specialties such as Tangqi pressed duck and fine sand sheeptail, and buy some local products such as Fagen pastries.
Dingshan Lake Wetland: Known as the "Little West Lake of Hangzhou," it has vast waters and lush aquatic plants, making it a habitat for many birds. You can take a boat tour of the wetland, admire the natural scenery, and experience the charm of nature. There are also many farmhouses around the wetland where you can enjoy fresh farmhouse dishes.
🍜 After enjoying the beautiful scenery, don't miss out on the delicious food. There are many restaurants and snack stalls near Chaoshan where you can taste Hangzhou specialties such as West Lake vinegar fish, Longjing shrimp, and beggar's chicken. Also, don't miss the local Chaoshan plum blossom cake, which is sweet, soft, and glutinous, with a faint plum blossom fragrance.
💕 The plum blossoms of Hangzhou Chaoshan are a precious gift from nature. This February, bring this guide and come to Chaoshan for a date with the plum blossoms, and experience the romance and beauty of early spring in Jiangnan. We believe this Chaoshan plum blossom viewing trip will be an unforgettable memory for you.