Spring has arrived in Guangdong with a stunning bloom show. Fiery kapok lines historic streets, while golden trumpet flowers brighten the Pearl River. Parks, wetlands and overpasses burst with color, inviting everyone to slow down and enjoy the season.
Better yet, around International Women's Day on March 8, some scenic spots are offering special discounts for female visitors, making this an ideal time for a spring outing.
Kapok
As temperatures rise, kapok flowers blaze across city streets, painting treetops in brilliant red. Known as the City Flower of Guangzhou, the kapok is most often seen in vivid crimson, though rarer orange and yellow varieties also appear. At Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, 29 kapok trees, including a 357-year-old specimen, are now in bloom, their bright petals standing out against the historic architecture.
(Photo: Guangzhou Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall)
(Photo: Culture, Radio, Television, Tourism and Sports Bureau of Yuexiu District)
(Photo: Forestry Administration of Guangdong Province)
(Photo: Shenzhen LOOK)
Recommended viewing spots:
Guangzhou: Guangzhou Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall (广州中山纪念堂); Peasant Movement Institute (农讲所); Yuexiu Park (越秀公园); Lingyuan West Road (陵园西路); People's Park (人民公园); Haizhu Square (海珠广场); Yanjiang West Road (沿江西路); Cultural Park (文化公园); Guangzhou Baiyun International Convention Center (广州白云国际会议中心)
Shenzhen: Chiwan 5th Road (赤湾五路); Jingtian North Street (景田北街)
Foshan: Lebei Ferry (勒北渡口); Beishui Sluice (北水水闸); Jiandong Park (尖东公园); Wenhua Park (文华公园); Haisan Road (海三路)
Dongguan: Haishi Temple (海石寺); Zhixin Park (执信公园); Humen Avenue (虎门大道); Opium War Museum (鸦片战争博物馆)
Zhaoqing: Yuejiang Tower (阅江楼); Paifang Square (牌坊广场); Xin'an Road (信安路)
Huizhou: Huizhou West Lake Scenic Area (惠州西湖); Binjiang Park (滨江公园); Jinshanhu Park (金山湖公园)
Zhongshan: Xishan Temple (西山寺); Baiyi Ancient Temple (白衣古寺); Qijiang Park (岐江公园); South Gate of Zimaling Park (紫马岭公园南门); Dutou Village (渡头村)
Jiangmen: Fuyue Village (浮月村)
Zhuhai: Beishan Courtyard (北山大院); Haibin North Road (海滨北路); Haicheng Road (海城路); Shanchang Road (山场路); Mingzhu Road (明珠路)
Golden trumpet tree
When golden trumpet trees burst into bloom, their branches glow with dazzling yellow blossoms, often without leaves in sight. Like tiny bells swaying in the breeze, the blossoms turn entire avenues into rivers of gold. In Guangzhou, Zhoutouzui Park and nearby Huandao Road are iconic check-in spots. Hundreds of meters of golden blossoms stretch along the streets, making it one of the brightest sights of the season.
(Photo: Guangzhou Baiyun Fabu)
(Photo: Shenzhen LOOK)
Recommended viewing spots:
Guangzhou: Modiesha Park (磨碟沙公园); Guangxiao Temple (光孝寺); Zhoutouzui Park (洲头咀公园); Huandao Road (环岛路); Haibang Shui Xiang (海傍水乡); Hongcheng Park (宏城公园); Baiyun Avenue North (白云大道北)
Shenzhen: Shenzhen Central Park (中心公园); Lianhuashan Park (莲花山公园); Bijiashan Park (笔架山公园); Qianhai Road (前海路); Pinghu Ecological Park (平湖生态园)
Huizhou: Linghu Road (菱湖路); Honghua Lake Scenic Area (红花湖景区); Millefiore Resort (千花洲度假区); Shanao Golden Trumpet Tree Farm (沙澳黄花风铃木场); Flourish Flower Valley (盛花谷景区)
Dongguan: Golden trumpet forest, Songshan Lake (松山湖 - 黄花风铃木林); Guanhuang South Road (莞潢南路); Gaobu Bridge (高埗大桥); Yinhu Riverside Park (银湖滨河公园); Yaobeitang Park (窑贝塘公园)
Qingyuan: Jingkou Golden Trumpet Garden (迳口风铃园)
Jiangmen: Longxi River Bank (龙溪河沿岸); Tianfu Road (天福路); Fazhan Avenue (发展大道)
Zhongshan: Yunti Mountain (云梯山)
Zhaoqing: Seven Star Crags Scenic Area (七星岩景区)
Bauhinia variegata
Bauhinia blossoms are transforming the province into pastel dreamscapes. At destinations like Guangzhou Haizhu National Wetland Park, Shenzhen's Binhe Avenue and Dongguan's Shuilianhu Park, soft pink and white petals stretch for kilometers, creating enchanting "flower roads."
(Photo: Haizhu Wetland)
(Photo: Xinghu Scenic Area)
Recommended viewing spots:
Guangzhou: Guangzhou Haizhu National Wetland Park (广州海珠国家湿地公园); Luhu Park (麓湖公园); South China Agricultural University (华南农业大学)
Shenzhen: Guangming Herbal Garden (百草园); Binhe Avenue (滨河大道); Shenzhen Central Park (中心公园)
Foshan: Shunfengshan Park (顺峰山公园); Xingshun Road (兴顺路)
Huizhou: Huizhou West Lake Scenic Area (惠州西湖); Honghua Lake Scenic Area (红花湖景区)
Dongguan: Shuilianhu Park (水濂湖公园); Cuifeng Road (翠峰路); Dongcheng Middle Road (东城中路); Binfen Road (缤纷路)
Zhaoqing: Seven Star Crags Scenic Area (七星岩景区)
Bougainvillea
Blooming across autumn, winter and spring, bougainvillea is one of Guangdong's most iconic flowers and the city flower of Shenzhen. Cascading down pedestrian bridges and walls like waterfalls, bougainvillea turns streets into vibrant floral corridors.
(Photo: South China Agricultural University)
(Photo: Shenzhen LOOK)
(Photo: Dongguan Daily)
Recommended viewing spots:
Guangzhou: Dongfeng Middle Road Pedestrian Bridge (东风中路人行天桥); Xingang Middle Road and Chigang North Pedestrian Bridge (赤岗天桥); Wuyangcun Pedestrian Bridge (五羊邨天桥); Maling Guanhua Botanical Garden (马岭观花植物园); South China Agricultural University (华南农业大学)
Shenzhen: Huifang Garden, Shenzhen International Garden and Flower Expo Park (深圳国际园林花卉博览园汇芳园); Gankeng Ancient Town (甘坑古镇); Multi-storey parking lot, Xianhu Botanical Garden (仙湖植物园立体停车场); Gangwan Estate (港湾生活小区); Shahe Baishi overpass (沙河白石立交); Jijing Road (吉井路)
Huizhou: Huangwu Village (黄屋村); Huizhou West Lake Scenic Area (惠州西湖); Jinshan River Bank (金山河沿岸); Huizhou Botanical Garden (惠州植物园); Milleflore Resort (千花洲度假区)
Dongguan: Dongguan Hsu Fu Chi Headquarters (东莞徐福记总厂); Qingxi Scenic Area, Yinpingshan Forest Park (银瓶山森林公园清溪景区); Dongguan People's Park (东莞人民公园); Keyuan Museum (可园博物馆); Dongguan Botanical Garden (东莞植物园)
Rapeseed flowers
Fields of rapeseed flowers bloom like impressionist paintings—not only in classic golden yellow, but also in soft cream, blush pink and even orange. Sunlight, drifting fragrance, butterflies, and bees create a pastoral scene.
(Photo: Guangzhou Nansha Fabu)
(Photo: Huizhou Fabu)
Recommended viewing spots:
Guangzhou: Guantan Agricultural Park (官坦农业公园); Longping Academician Port (隆平院士港); Haibang Shui Xiang (海傍水乡)
Shenzhen: Guangming Fun Farm (光明欢乐田园)
Huizhou: Huangsiyang Ancient Village (皇思扬古围村); Moyuan Village (墨园村); Haoyiyuan Ecological Park (好艺源生态园); Shennong Lanxiang Valley (神农兰香谷)
Zhaoqing: Huashi Village (花石村)
Shaoguan: Danxia Mountain (丹霞山)
Gesang flowers
Layer upon layer of pink, red and white gesang flowers sway gently in the breeze, adding a soft splash of color to the landscape.
(Photo: Dongguan Fabu)
(Photo: Houjie Fabu)
Recommended viewing spots:
Guangzhou: Guangzhou Haizhu National Wetland Park (广州海珠国家湿地公园); Wantian Ecological Park (万田生态公园); Hongshan Village (红山村); Guangzhou Innovation Park (广州创新公园)
Shenzhen: Xili Ecological Park (西丽生态公园); Hetang Shanshui Park (禾塘山水公园)
Huizhou: Dongjiang Park (东江公园); Longhua Youth Forest Farm Ecological Park (龙华青年林场生态园区)
Jiangmen: Donghu Park (东湖公园)
Dongguan: Yuanmei Park (元美公园); Fengshan Country Park (凤山郊野公园); Jingshan Village (京山村); Rice Field Children's Park (稻田儿童公园)
Cherry blossoms
In March, cherry blossoms bloom softly across Guangdong. Pale pink petals quietly color the season, adding a touch of romance to the province.
(Photo: Haizhu Wetland)
(Photo: South China Agricultural University)
Recommended viewing spots:
Guangzhou: Phase II, Guangzhou Haizhu National Wetland Park (广州海珠国家湿地公园二期); Baiyun Mountain Scenic Area (白云山风景名胜区); South China Agricultural University (华南农业大学); Chuangye Park (创业公园); Baomo Garden (宝墨园); Shiba Luohan Mountain (十八罗汉山); Wuzhishan Scenic Area (五指山景区)
Dongguan: Haizaihu Park (海仔湖公园)
Qingyuan: Sanzhouba Cherry Blossom Garden (三洲坝樱花园); South China Million Cherry Blossom Garden (华南百万樱花园)
Zhaoqing: Seven Star Crags Scenic Area (七星岩景区)
Shaoguan: Ying Hua Yu Scenic Area (樱花峪景区)
International Women's Day special offers
Baiyun Mountain Scenic Area: Half-price admission for female visitors on March 8.
Seven Star Crags Scenic Area: Free admission for female visitors on March 8. Throughout March (Monday–Friday), visitors wearing Hanfu or qipao (qipao limited to women) can enter free via the Hexian Bridge temporary entrance.
Danxia Mountain: From March 1–15, all female visitors enjoy free admission with valid ID.
Additional offers may be available. Please check the official social media accounts of the scenic areas for the latest updates.
Author | Huang Xinying
Poster | Lai Meiya
