Spring, the sweet spring, is the year’s pleasant king;

    Then blooms each thing, then maids dance in a ring,

    Cold doth not sting, the pretty birds do sing.

    Cuckoo, jug-jug, pu-we, to-witta-woo!

    — By English poet Thomas Nashe (1567-1601)

    Pink peach blossoms

    Many travelers may know the Lijiang River in Guilin, in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, but they might not have heard of the peach blossoms in Gongcheng County, also in Guilin.

    Gongcheng is home to expanses of peach trees and where a grand peach blossom festival will soon be held for visitors and locals to “appreciate the beauty of peach blossoms, live in ecological homes, eat green food and be happy mortals.”

    At this time of year, visitors will be treated to peach blossoms in shades of red and pink on the mountains and in gardens.

    While the peach is symbolic of long life in Chinese tradition, peach blossoms are highly prized in Chinese culture. It is also believed that peach blossoms can bring luck in love.

    Many people visit Gongcheng in spring, tasting the local wine and snacks, dancing Yao ethnic dances and singing peach-blossom songs.

    Transport: Fly to Guilin from Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport.

    Accommodation: There is a wide selection of hotels and hostels in Guilin. Or stay with the locals.

    Cuisine: Guilin rice noodles, chicken, duck, shrimp, fish and glutinous rice cakes are recommended.

    Tulip time

    March is the best month to enjoy tulips in Kunming in Yunnan Province. Kunming Daguan Park has 80,000 tulip plants and visitors are treated to tulips from all over the world in one place.

    The tulips are in a wide range of colors. Seas of the colorful flowers, together with a number of halls, pavilions, bonsai pots, rockeries, porches and trees in the park, give a comfortable spring feeling.

    Like many other ancient buildings in China, Daguan Park had also been in disarray, destroyed and restored several times because of dynastic changes and the civil wars. The present-day three-storey building was established in 1883.

    At the entrance is the longest antithetical couplet written by a famous Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) scholar named Sun Ranweng. This couplet of 180 characters is one of the most valued cultural treasures in Yunnan Province.

    Transport: Fly to Kunming from Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport.

    Accommodation: There is a wide selection of hotels and hostels in Kunming.

    Cuisine: Try Yunnan crossing-the-bridge noodles, pot fish and Naxi wedding dishes.

    White plum blossoms

    The plum blossom on Gushan Hill in Hangzhou in eastern China’s Zhejiang Province has been regarded among the best since ancient times.

    March is the best time of year to see plum blossom on Gushan Hill, the largest natural island in West Lake. A sea of white flowers blankets the entire mountain, simple but elegant.

    Adding to the charm of the plum blossom is West Lake. Because of its prominent historical and cultural status among Chinese scenic resorts, West Lake has won a number of titles, including national key scenic resort in 1982 and national 5A tourist resort in 2006.

    The lake is known for its picturesque landscape and its association with many scholars, national heroes and revolutionary martyrs. Many of the ancient buildings, caves and engraved tablets surrounding the lake are among the most cherished national treasures in China, with significant artistic value.

    Transport: Fly to Hangzhou from Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport.

    Accommodation: There is a wide selection of hotels and hostels in Hangzhou. Rooms around West Lake are popular.

    Cuisine: Seafood, fish broth, West Lake fish in vinegar, buns, pork and noodles are popular. (Jane Lai)