Winning in Guangzhou—Hero Flowers Bloom in the Hero City

In March in Guangzhou, you can really win a "top" prize every minute, because the kapok flowers are in full bloom all over the city, with red clouds covering the branches. From time to time, a few flowers fall to the mortal world, and you under the tree can truly feel the "good luck (kapok) on your head." It hurts a little, but everyone is attracted by the red flowers all over the tree, stopping under the tree to admire and take pictures. The grannies in Guangzhou have already prepared bags to pick up the fallen kapok flowers and take them home to make soup. 🌺Kapok, also known as red cotton, hero flower, and Panzhihua, is the city flower of Guangzhou. It blooms from February to April every year, and can be seen almost everywhere in Guangzhou, mostly planted individually or in small groups as embellishments. Kapok trees lose their leaves before flowering, then bear fruit, and finally grow leaves. Kapok flowers are one of the ingredients used by Guangzhou citizens to make soup and herbal tea, which have the effect of clearing heat and removing dampness. This custom has been passed down to this day. In the past, kapok floss was also an important material for citizens to make cotton-padded clothes and quilts. Therefore, just like the pragmatism of Guangzhou people, the city flower must be useful in addition to being beautiful. ⏳Flower Viewing Time: 1. Kapok begins to bloom in February, and the best viewing period is from March to April. 2. Because the flowers are large, after thunderstorms, kapok flowers fall more severely, so seize the time to see the flowers. 👍Recommended Flower Viewing Spots: 1. Lingyuan West Road: As the name suggests, this road is next to the Martyrs' Cemetery, so the hero flowers (kapok) here are planted along the roadside, which is one of the best places to see kapok in Guangzhou. The kapok flowers complement the street scene, city high-rise buildings, and the Martyrs' Cemetery, which perfectly interprets the hero flowers blooming in the hero city. 2. Donghu Park: Kapok has a different charm under the park's lake view, small bridges, and flowing water, making it more dynamic and colorful. 3. Peasant Movement Institute: The kapok under the red walls and green tiles brings people back to that passionate era. 4. Zhongshan Memorial Hall: There is an ancient tree here known as the "King of Kapok in China." It has a history of more than 300 years. After many vicissitudes, it still stands. Against the backdrop of ancient buildings, kapok flowers are particularly eye-catching. 5. Haizhu Bridge, Haizhu Square, and Jiefang Bridge: This area has always been a popular spot for local Guangzhou people to photograph kapok. Kapok extends from the Guangzhou Hotel to the Haizhu Bridge, especially the slope of the bridge, which is definitely the best place to take photos! There is also a large area of kapok between Jiefang Bridge and Haizhu Bridge. The best shooting spot is from the south to the north of Jiefang Bridge. Although the kapok here is not as dense as that in Haizhu Square, the unique beauty is also a feature here!