When is the best month to enjoy flowers at West Lake? The answer is every month!

West Lake in Hangzhou is beautiful year-round, with different flowers blooming each month. No matter what season you visit, you'll always find vibrant blossoms and stunning scenery in and around West Lake.

1️⃣2️⃣ January-February: Plum Blossoms
Best viewing spot: Solitary Hill (Gushan)
Although West Lake appears somewhat desolate in winter, plum blossoms bravely bloom in the cold. The "Solitary Hill Plum Blossom Garden," one of the "Ten Scenic Spots of West Lake," is the best place to appreciate them.

3️⃣ March: Cherry Blossoms
Best viewing spots: Prince Bay Park (Taiziwan Park), Hangzhou Botanical Garden
When cherry blossoms are in full bloom, Prince Bay Park transforms into a romantic sea of pink, perfect for taking photos. Hangzhou Botanical Garden also has large cherry blossom groves, offering a quieter environment for leisurely strolls.

4️⃣ April: Peach Blossoms, Azaleas
Best viewing spots: Lingfeng Plum Blossom Viewing, Manjuelong Village
April marks the arrival of a hundred flowers blooming at West Lake. The peach blossoms at Lingfeng Plum Blossom Viewing are vibrant and delicate, while the azaleas blanket the hillsides of Manjuelong Village.

5️⃣ May: Peonies, Roses
Best viewing spots: Hangzhou Botanical Garden, Nanshan Road
The peony garden in Hangzhou Botanical Garden boasts a vast expanse of peonies in a romantic mix of red and pink. Along Nanshan Road, roses climb the walls, swaying gently in the breeze, creating a poetic Jiangnan scene.

6️⃣7️⃣ June-July: Lotus Flowers
Best viewing spots: Quyuan Wind Lotus (part of the Ten Scenic Spots of West Lake), Guo Zhuang Garden, Three Pools Mirroring the Moon
A summer visit to West Lake must include viewing the lotus flowers, especially at Quyuan Wind Lotus, where the lake surface is covered with lush green lotus leaves and pink and white blossoms. The early morning and evening hours are the most enchanting. Guo Zhuang Garden is an excellent place to admire water lilies, with its antique charm and tranquil elegance.

8️⃣9️⃣ August-September: Osmanthus Flowers
Best viewing spots: Manjuelong Village, Lingyin Temple, Hangzhou Botanical Garden
Autumn in Hangzhou is filled with the fragrance of osmanthus. Manjuelong Village is home to numerous osmanthus trees, and the air is permeated with their sweet scent. Lingyin Temple is also surrounded by osmanthus trees, offering a unique flower-viewing experience amidst the serene temple atmosphere.

October-November: Chrysanthemums
Best viewing spots: Hangzhou Botanical Garden, Six Harmonies Pagoda
Hangzhou Botanical Garden hosts the "Autumn Chrysanthemum Exhibition" in autumn, showcasing a dazzling array of chrysanthemums in various colors and shapes, perfect for photography. The area around Six Harmonies Pagoda is also adorned with autumn chrysanthemums, creating a picturesque scene for those ascending the pagoda to enjoy the distant views.

December: Winter Sweet (Wax Plum)
Best viewing spot: Solitary Hill (Gushan)
In winter, West Lake is less crowded, and winter sweet blossoms bloom proudly amidst the snow. Their small yellow flowers emit a delicate fragrance. The Winter Sweet Garden on Solitary Hill offers the warmest colors in the winter landscape.

✅ West Lake offers scenic beauty in all four seasons, making any time the perfect time to visit Hangzhou.