Zhengzhou: Zijinshan Park: A Springtime Rendezvous with Plum and Cherry Blossoms
Zhengzhou's Zijinshan Park, an urban oasis blending historical charm and natural beauty, will host a visual feast of plum and cherry blossoms in March and April. Stroll through the landscape interwoven with Suzhou-style gardens and Republican-era architecture, where you can experience the Confucian tradition of "Cheng Men Li Xue" and encounter the springtime romance of a "flower-filled embankment."
🌺 Must-Do Activities and In-Depth Experiences
Flower Viewing Map:
• Plum Blossom Haven: The Cinnabar and Green Calyx plum blossoms by the West Garden Lake are in full bloom, their subtle fragrance wafting through the misty dawn, perfect for capturing ancient-style photos.
• Cherry Blossom Tunnel: The Tokyo cherry blossoms and late-blooming cherry trees on the Cherry Blossom Avenue in the East Garden are blooming in succession, expected to reach their peak in mid-April, even more dreamy with the Ferris wheel lights.
• Gardens of the South Yangtze River: The secluded bamboo paths and bonsai rockeries of Mengxi Garden in the South Garden offer a poetic experience of "how deep the courtyard is" when taking photos in Hanfu.
Fun Interactions:
• Pigeon Paradise: Thousands of white pigeons dance with people in the West Garden Square, where you can experience the healing moment of "living with pigeons" by holding pigeon feed.
• children's play area: The amusement facilities and lotus pond by the East Lake are perfect for families to play and take photos together, even more lively when the lotus flowers bloom in summer.
🍜 Food Map and Accommodation Recommendations
Local Flavors:
• Tea-Smoked Pigeon ( Shunhe North Street Branch): Crispy skin and tender meat, served with tea-flavored sauce, ¥50 per person.
• Braised Yellow River Carp (Zijinshan Branch): Tender and boneless fish without a fishy taste, a classic "1 fish + 1 rice" set meal, ¥80 per person.
• Pufferfish Rice Bowl (Manhattan Plaza): Creative Henan cuisine, pufferfish sashimi served with crab roe sauce, ¥120 per person.
Recommended Accommodations:
• Art and Retro: Manhattan Plaza Hotel (Trip.com from ¥350/night), the corridors retain elements of the old textile factory, a 5-minute walk to the park.
• High-End Experience: InterContinental Zhengzhou, Dennis (Trip.com from ¥1200/night), adjacent to the Erqi business district, guest rooms overlook the Jinshui River.
💰 Tickets and Opening Hours
• Free admission.
• Opening hours: 6:30–22:00 (extended to 22:30 in summer), Mengxi Garden is closed every Monday.
🚌 Transportation Guide
• Subway: Lines 1/2 to Zijinshan Station, Exit A/E, which leads directly to the West Garden Square.
• Self-driving: Navigate to "East Gate of Zijinshan Park," there is a free parking lot nearby (it is recommended to arrive early on weekends).
• Bus: Routes 27 and 86 to Zijinshan Station, suitable for tourists with large luggage.
Here, you can find both the elegance of "plum blossoms being three points whiter than snow" and the romance of "the speed at which cherry blossoms fall is five centimeters per second." This spring, why not use the park as your canvas and record Zhengzhou's "steel tenderness" and "floral moments" with your lens? 🌸🎨