April Showers Bring May Flowers—A Hangzhou Spring Flower Viewing Guide

March and April in Jiangnan are perfect for a leisurely stroll. In Hangzhou, whether it's the cherry blossoms in full bloom under Gongchen Bridge, the vibrant rapeseed flowers in Xixi Wetland, or the silent night cherry blossoms at Liangzhu Culture and Art Center, the boundless beauty sparks the imagination. Here are a few more hidden gems to share with you: 1. West Lake · Yuhubay Wild Cherry Blossom Secret Realm 🌸Recommendation: Escape the crowds and encounter a dialogue between mountain cherry blossoms and ancient pavilions. Hidden on the west side of Yanggong Causeway, Yuhubay differs from popular cherry blossom viewing spots. Here, mountain cherry trees are scattered along the waterfront, their gnarled branches reaching towards the lake, forming a Song Dynasty painting with the Jihong Bridge and Wu Zhuangyuan Square. At the end of March, petals fall into the shallows with the wind, and occasionally a grebe paddles by, adding to the tranquility. There are no fences here, so you can sit on the rocks and enjoy the flowers up close. The scene is especially Zen-like after the rain when the mist lingers. 2. Qiantang River · Zhijiang East Bank Dandelion Meadow 🌸Recommendation: A collision of wildflower seas and industrial aesthetics on the edge of the city. On the extension of Zhijiang East Road on the south bank of the Qiantang River (near Xiasha Bridge), a large area of wild dandelions and violets is hidden between the river embankment and the windbreak forest. In early April, the kilometer-long meadow is covered in gold and lavender, and giant wind turbines slowly rotate in the sea of flowers, creating a surreal picture. At dusk, when the tide recedes, you can walk on the gravel beach and capture silhouettes of freighters amidst the flowers and sunset, a blend of harshness and softness. 3. North of the City · Banshan National Forest Park Quarry Flower Valley 🌸Recommendation: An abandoned quarry transformed into a geological wonder garden. Deep in Hushang Park on the southern foot of Banshan Mountain, artificial rock azaleas hang from the steep cliffs left over from quarrying in the last century. In mid-to-late March, the rust-colored rock walls and bright red azaleas create a strong visual impact. The walking path winds through the quarry lake and crevices, as if walking through cracks in the earth. There is also a lesser-known Tung Blossom Valley here. At the end of April, white tung blossoms fall onto the surface of the quarry lake, creating a dramatic contrast between industrial ruins and the vitality of nature. PS: Yuhubay's beauty lies in its seclusion. You need to follow the small path beside Jihong Bridge to discover its wild charm. The appearance of the Zhijiang East Bank flower sea depends on the tides, so the best time for photography needs to be coordinated with the tide times. The Banshan Quarry azaleas are a recent ecological restoration project, a special variety cultivated after improving the pH value of the rocks, which also has scientific and educational value.