Check out Shanghai's peach blossoms
Sure you could schlep to Nanjing to check out China's legendary blossoms, but why hop a train when they're in your own backyard?
Although Nanjing traditionally claims the spring blossom throne, that might just be good marketing -- peach trees right around Shanghai are starting to bloom.
The season is just beginning as local temperatures climb, so sleep in, avoid the masses at the train station and enjoy the local flowers. With nine fantastic peach blossom spots around Shanghai, there's bound to be one near you.
1. Chenshan Shanghai Botanical Garden
Entry: RMB 60 (RMB 40 before April 1)
Best dates to go: April
If you want to find the perfect peach blossom, the newly opened Chenshan Shanghai Botanic Garden is your best bet with trees spread over 1,000 square meters.
Once you’re peach blossom-saturated, have a look at the other abundant offerings, as this botanical garden is one of the largest in eastern China.
Fair warning: as one of the prettier locales to take in Shanghai's peach blossoms, Chenshan is sure to be overrun with shutterbugs looking to get the perfect shot this April.
Get there: For driving details click here (about 50 minutes from downtown Shanghai) or take Metro Line 9 to Dongjing Lu and then take Songjiang Bus Line 19 (松江19路区间)
Chenshan Shanghai Botanic Garden, 3888 Chenhua Lu 辰花路3888号, +86 21 3779 2288, www.csnbgsh.cn
2. Shanghai Nanhui Datuan Peach Blossom Park
Entry: RMB 40 during peach blossom season, free for children under 1.4 meters
Best dates to go: March 25 to April 20 (best sights around April 5)
Peach growing has been a pastime here for two decades -- making it a good escape for courting couples who want to surround themselves with masses of pink blossoms.
Traditional performances are staged during the Peach Blossom Festival, so there's more to check out than just the buds. Horses are also available for hire.
Get there: Find driving details here or take a bus 龙大专线 there.
Shanghai Nanhui Datuan Peach Blossom Park, 888 Zhaoqiaocunchaichang, Datuan Zhen, Pudong, Shanghai 浦东新区大团镇赵桥村柴场888号, +86 21 5808 3333, www.datuantaoyuan.com
3. Shanghai Longhua Martyrs' Cemetery
Entry: Free
Best dates to go: Early in April
“Visit Longhua for peach blossoms on April 3” runs a Ming Dynasty song, and let's face it, it’s one of those places in Shanghai you’ve been meaning to see anyway. Here’s your excuse to go.
In the early 1930s, people used “peach blossoms” as a metaphor for the spirits of their ancestors, so the flower's association with the cemetery is quite fitting. Find a quiet moment to reflect while taking in the sea of blossoms.
Get there: Bus 41, 56 or 864
Shanghai Longhua Martyrs Cemetery, 180 Longhua Xi Lu 龙华西路180号, +86 21 6468 5995, www.slmmm.com
4. Shanghai Botanical Garden
Entry: RMB 15
Best dates to go: Early April
Located in Xuhui District, the Shanghai Botanical Garden is one of the most accessible gardens around the city.
Peach blossoms are already starting to show their buds here, pushing out the previous month’s plum blossoms.
Fair warning for those who have a weak stomach for PDA -- this just might be ground zero for Shanghai’s canoodling couples. Local lovers gather under the blossoms here to re-affirm their bonds -- and sneak a makeout session -- as peach blossoms are seen as a symbol of love and prosperity.
Get there: Metro Line 3 to Shilong Lu station
Shanghai Botanic Garden, 1111 Longwu Lu 龙吴路1111号, +86 21 5436 3369, www.shbg.org
5. Century Park
Entry: RMB 10
Best dates to go: Before May
Century Park is hands-down one of the best parks in Shanghai, and that’s before factoring in the peach blossoms.
In addition to peach flowers and trees in the park’s Spring Garden, you can also take in the winter jasmines, begonias and willows.
When you’re done with the flowers, move onto the paddle boats, biking and picnic areas.
Get there: Metro Line 2 to Century Park station
Century Park, 1001 Jinxiu Lu, Pudong, Shanghai, 浦东新区锦绣路1001号, +86 21 3876 0588, www.centurypark.com.cn
6. Grand View Garden
Entry: RMB 60
Best dates to go: April
The Grand View Garden fully embodies the classic images of China depicted in “A Dream of Red Mansions,” one of the four main Chinese novels written during the Qing Dynasty.
The garden’s traditional Chinese pavilions provide great views of outdoor flora and the area's most scenic spot, Peach Blossom Island.
Get there: For driving details, click here (it's about 55 minutes from downtown) or take tourist bus line 4 from Shanghai Stadium (上海体育场旅游4号线直达)
Grand View Garden, 701 Jinshanggong Lu, Qingpu District 青浦区金商公路701号, +86 21 5926 2831, www.sh-daguanyuan.com
7. Nanhui Peach Blossom Village
Entry: RMB 55 for adults, RMB 30 for children under 1.2 meters
Best dates to go: March 25 to April 20
Nanhui Peach Blossom Village is the biggest peach blossom garden in Shanghai, and hosts the city’s annual peach blossom festival. Check out the seas of pink and then stop in at the homes of Nanhui residents, many of whom open their houses to visitors during peach blossom season.
Get there: Find driving details here (55 minutes from downtown) or take the bus 惠南3路 or 三港专线.
Shanghai Nanhui Peach Blossom Village, 289 Beimen Lu, Huinan Zhen, Pudong, Shanghai, 浦东新区惠南镇北门路289号, +86 21 5801 9595, www.taohuacun.com.cn
8. West Lake, Hangzhou
Entry: Free
Best dates to go: April
West Lake -- with willows arching over the water and peach trees planted along its lake banks -- is considered one of the most romantic places in China.
There are few other venues that are as conducive to flower tourism by bike, and Hangzhou offers a number of other places to check out once you've taken in all the eye candy.
Get there: For driving directions, click here (two hours from Shanghai if traffic is good) or take a train. Click here for train ticket info.
West Lake, West Lake Scenic Spot, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, 浙江省杭州市西湖风景区, www.hzwestlake.com
9. Houshan Scenic Spot, Shaoxing
Entry: RMB 40 for adults, RMB 20 for children under 1.4 meters
Best date to go: Peach Blossom Festival is held from March 19 to April 17
Located in Shaoxing, Houshan Scenic Spot is famous for its annual peach blossom festival, and much less touristy than the plum blossom festival in Nanjing.
Thousands of local visitors visit Houshan every year to appreciate the sea of peach blossoms, as well as the area's mountains which were featured in the TV series “Journey to the West 2” (“西游记2”).
Get there: Best option here is to go by car along 沪杭高速. Click here for more details
Houshan Scenic Spot, Gaobu Town, Yuecheng District, Shaoxing, Zhejiang Province, 吼山风景区, 浙江省绍兴市越城区皋埠镇，+86 0575 8808 6016
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