Harbin lilac festival kicks off

Updated: May 7, 2019 chinadaily.com.cn Print

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The 2019 Harbin Lilac Festival kicked off in the city's Qunli Dingxiang Park on April 30, in time for the early lilac trees across the city that are now in full bloom.

The lilac flowering period lasts about two months, from late April to June, as the different varieties of lilac bloom at different times.

A total of 10 sites are being recommended by Harbin tourism bureau to best admire the lilacs -- including the Lilac Park in Sun Island Scenic Area, Zhaolin Park, Qunli Dingxiang Park, Taiping Park, Heilongjiang Forestry Plant Park and Tianchi Dingxiang Park.

Meanwhile, several other activities will also be held during the festival, including a lilac exhibition, a photography competition, and a poem and song writing activity.

The opening ceremony for the lilac festival was held in Qunli Dingxiang Park on April 30. Several songs themed with tributes to the flower were sung by leading signer Li Shuangjiang at the ceremony.

The tradition of planting lilacs, the city flower of Harbin, goes back 100 years. There are 35 categories of lilac in the world, and more than 20 categories are planted in Harbin, with the majority of the flowers there colored in white and purple.

At present, around 1.34 million lilac trees and bushes in 10 varieties have been planted in the city.

Harbin is currently promoting its famous lilac landscapes by expanding the planting area of lilac trees in parks, squares, and streets. Around 35,000 lilac trees are expected to be planted in the Daoli, Daowai and Acheng districts this year.