【New Yunnan Notes】 Returning from Kunming without seeing the flowers, encountering the blooming spring scenery of the Flower City

Number of days: 4 days
Time: February
Updated: 2025.04.10

[New Yunnan Notes] Returning from Kunming without Seeing the Flowers & Encountering the Blooming Spring in the Flower City

February 16th, my last half day in Kunming, every minute felt especially precious. I couldn't wait to explore this city's beauty again. I opened the navigation to search for nearby attractions, and the two closest to the hotel came into view: Rose Park and Cailian River.

A ten-minute walk brought me to Rose Park. This small street park, built in 2017, covers approximately 3,770 square meters. Designed for viewing, leisure, and educational purposes, it's a themed flower park dedicated to showcasing distinctive roses, featuring a variety of varieties, including stump roses, columnar roses, globe roses, and ground cover roses. Perhaps it wasn't peak bloom, so I didn't see many. However, the vast expanse of purple and yellow pansies bloomed freely, adding a touch of bright color to the park. Not far away, several energetic women were dancing with snake-shaped colored silks. Their movements were graceful and rhythmic, full of vigor and vitality.

On the riverbank, an elderly man leisurely practiced Tai Chi. Compared to the colorful silk dance I'd seen earlier in the Rose Park, the rhythm of one was slow, the other lively, a harmonious blend of strength and softness that created a captivating contrast. Along the banks of the Cailian River, the trees are primarily osmanthus, interspersed with taller trees like willows and metasequoias, creating a lush greenery. The water is crystal clear, reflecting the swaying shadows of the trees. Occasionally, a few red-billed gulls skim lightly across the surface. Under the warm sunlight, the scene resembles a breathtaking oil painting. Sunlight filters through the leaves, casting dappled shadows on the water, creating a vibrant display of spring's most beautiful colors. Poppies planted around the trees are in full bloom, and other flowers and plants dot the landscape. Under the warm sun, people stroll along the riverbank, some laughing and chatting, some singing, some exercising, some taking photos, each enjoying the tranquility and beauty of the moment. The Cailian River, carrying the memory of history, flows slowly through the ages, witnessing the vicissitudes of Kunming's transformation, leaving one mesmerized and reluctant to leave. Unfortunately, my time was limited, so I couldn't walk the entire river. In Kunming, flowers are everywhere, from the bustling city to quieter corners. The Dounan Flower Market is a sea of blooms, a dazzling display of color and fragrance. Kunming Old Street, already overflowing with flowers, features several colorful semi-circular gates created with artificial blooms, adding a touch of romance. Kunming's parks are even more of a paradise for flowers, each with its own theme. The plum blossoms at Heilongtan Park bloom proudly in the snow, while the tulips at Cuihu Park are dazzling. Even along the roadsides and in the streets, even in the most inconspicuous corners, flowers quietly adorn the city. Kunming's flowers are in a myriad of forms, sometimes lush, sometimes vibrant, sometimes gorgeous, sometimes refreshing, sometimes bustling, sometimes lonely... They transform Kunming into a vast natural garden, and Kunming responds to the flowers' affection with tolerance and love. Wang Zengqi, deeply captivated by Kunming's blossoms, wrote eloquently about 14 different species: the blooming cherry blossoms of Yuantong Mountain in early spring, the azaleas in the gentle March sky, the osmanthus flowers amidst the heavy rain, the solitary blooms of cannas at night... This is the indispensable ritual of Kunming's seasonal life. I can't help but wonder, should I visit the jacaranda trees on Jiaochang Middle Road in Kunming in April or May? That's my favorite purple-blue color. The jacaranda's floral language is tranquility, depth, and melancholy, which perfectly resonates with my own mood. I've been planning this for two years, but never made the trip. I imagine myself, in my rush, passing that road, lost in that dreamlike sea of purple blossoms, involuntarily slowing down to savor this unique romance. Yang Shen once praised Kunming: "The weather is always like February and March, and the blossoms bloom all year round." Among Yunnan's Eighteen Wonders is the saying, "Flowers never fade." Kunming's pleasant climate allows flowers to bloom year-round—a generous gift from nature. Kunming's people appreciate the diverse beauty of flowers throughout the seasons, even incorporating flower viewing into their daily lives, imbuing it with a sense of ritual. This is the true romance of Kunming. In spring, Kunming is a vibrant spectacle, with azaleas, camellias, cherry blossoms, and other flowers lining the streets and alleys, like a magnificent painting unfolding.

Kunming's flowers astounded me, a native of Guangzhou, the Flower City. I marveled at the sheer abundance, the beauty, the romance, and the passionate energy of the blossoms! As the saying goes, "It's not enough to simply live; we need sunshine, freedom, and a touch of floral fragrance." Kunming unconditionally fulfills our yearning for beautiful things. Here, achieving freedom amidst flowers is easy. In spring, Kunming boasts clear skies, drifting white clouds, and not only a profusion of flowers, but also warm, comfortable sunshine, gentle spring breezes, and the charming and agile red-billed gulls...all of this brings a sense of peace and tranquility, allowing the mind to soar. Kunming is truly a city of flowers, rivaling Guangzhou, another city known for its vibrant colors. Returning from Kunming, I felt as if I had seen every blossom in the world, and for a moment, I felt I needed to see more flowers elsewhere.

Around noon, I set off for Changshui Airport. Kunming Changshui International Airport is magnificent, sleek, and modern, rivaling Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport in terms of grandeur. It's said that from above, sunlight bathing the terminal's golden roof resembles a peacock flapping its wings, ready to take flight. Unfortunately, I didn't have the chance to experience this stunning sight from the air. Entering Terminal 1, one can see elements of South and Southeast Asia, including banana leaves, peacocks, elephants, and golden pagodas. The long walk from security to the boarding gate is adorned with vibrant Spring City decor, with flower stalls everywhere, showcasing the vibrant splendor of the Spring City.