Spring outing in Beijing

With gentle breezes and warm sunshine all around, spring is embracing Beijing now. It's time to take off the heavy coats and take your camera to nature and enjoy a delightful trip.

Don't miss the three annual flower festivals in Beijing that are coming around the corner, namely the Peach Blossom Festival in the Botanic Gardens, the Cherry Blossom Festival in Yuyuantan Park, and the Chinese Crabapple Flower Festival in Yuan Dynasty City Wall Relics Park. Cherry blossom in Yuyuantan features 1,000 cherry species transported from Japan 32 years ago when the late Japanese prime minister, Kakuei Tanaka, visited China.

The 20th cherry blossom festival in Yuyuantan Park will be held starting from March 22 to the end of April.

Cherry Blossom: Yuanyuantan Park

The blossom period of cherries blooming is too short for tourists to wait. It takes only seven days from the blooming to fading for one tree, while blooming of a whole cherry tree takes about two weeks. Cherry blossom in Yuyuantan features 1,000 cherry species transported from Japan 32 years ago when the late Japanese prime minister, Kakuei Tanaka, visited China.

The 20th cherry blossom festival in Yuyuantan Park will be held starting from March 22 to the end of April.

Best time to watch: March 22 until the end of April

Admission: 10 yuan

Address: in the middle part by the western third ring road, opposite of the CCTV tower. Take Bus 37, 121, 846 to the North Gate; Bus 32, 414, 617 to the South Gate; Bus 323, 368, 374, 394 to the West Gate; or Bus 114, 320, 717, 727 to the East Gate.

Magnolia at the Xinhua Gate

The amazing scenery does not always charge a fee. If you are seeking such places in the capital city of Beijing, just keep a close eye along Changan Street, the longest street in Beijing and you may well be captivated by dozens of elegant magnolias stretching their branches out of Xinhua Gate.

Best time to watch: end of March

Admission: free

How to get there: take subway to Tiananmen West station, walk west.

Magnolia at Dajue Temple

The magnolias at Dajue Temple in Beijing's western suburbs is widely known for its charming colors and smells. One of the magnolia trees, said to be transported from Sichuan, is famous for its large petals and inviting smells. During the Qianlong period (1736- 1796) of the Qing dynasty, the abbot of Dajue Temple died in Sichuan, and left a will to bring this flower to the capital. Since then the tree has an age of more than 300 years, renowned as the oldest of the magnolias in Beijing, and because of the location on a mountain, the blooming period of the magnolia in Dajue Temple is around 10 days later than the rest of the city. Flowers will bloom in early April and the blossom will last for about one week or longer in sunny days.

Best watching time: April 2 until April 9

Admission: 20 yuan

How to get there: bus 346, 903, or a tourist coach.

Peach at Beijing Botanic Garden

Here visitors can enjoy tens of thousands of peach blossoms varying in more than 70 brands. Besides the classic brands, the highlight will be the first manual cross breed brand solely produced by the Botanic Gardens. At the scenic attraction on the foot of Fragrant Hill, tourists can enjoy a fragrant and jolly tour amidst peach blossoms.

Best time to watch: March 22 until May 11

Admission: 10 yuan

How to get there: bus 634, 360, 331, 318, 737, 733.

Clove at Temple of Heaven

This top tourist attraction has got another reason to pay a second visit, as it's the largest area of clove trees in the capital city. In the west of Qiniandian, or the Altar of Prayer for Good Harvests, there is a clove wood taking up 6,300 sqm, with 240 clusters of clove trees with a history of 50 years. The aroma of the clove is believed to have the function of relaxing oneself and delighting the hearts.

Best time to watch: middle until late April

Admission: 15 yuan

How to get there: take bus 6, 15, 17, 20, 35, 120, 122, 803 and get off at Tiantan.