Plum benefits

Regarded as representing the spirit of integrity in Chinese culture, plum blossoms - which only appear in late winter every year - are seen as the plant that can survive the harshest of weather conditions. As the first flower to appear every new year, it is naturally seen as the harbinger of spring.

Wang Anshi, a well-known Chinese poet in the Song Dynasty (960-1279), once wrote a poem called "Plum Blossoms" in praise of the plant: "At a wall corner some plum trees grow / Alone against cold white blossoms blow / Aloof one knows they aren't the snow / As faint through air soft fragrances flow."

Right now plum blossom bulbs are lining up along branches, ready to bloom sometime within the next week. The Global Times journeyed around town to find some of the best spots to appreciate the color and fragrance of these delicate flowers.

Dianshan Lake Festival

Starting this Saturday, Shanghai city dwellers have the chance to visit a large area of plum blossoms in the annual Plum Blossom Festival around Dianshan Lake in Qingpu district to the west of Shanghai. The festival lasts for about a month, with early to middle March probably the best time to visit.

The plum blossom area at the Grand View Garden (Daguanyuan), to the east of the lake, is the largest of its kind in Shanghai, occupying some 126,666 square meters. More than 4,000 trees of more than 40 varieties of plum blossom are planted here, and the natural scenery perfectly complements the ancient-styled architecture of the garden pavilions. Some of the trees are more than a century old. During the festival there are also many activities held in the garden. For example, visitors are encouraged to paint their own plum blossoms onto a 100-meter-long scroll. And couples can write down messages of affection and hang them on the trees as a testament to their love.

Another spot for the festival around Dianshan Lake is the Oriental Land. The resort has more than 3,000 plum trees planted along a river, and visitors can enjoy a boat ride to appreciate the view. The resort also lays on dance and opera performances related to plum blossoms. Entry to Oriental Land is 50 yuan ($7.94) per person; performances and other amusements cost extra.

Apart from the plum blossoms around Dianshan Lake, you can also find isolated plum trees with flowers dotted around Shanghai. For example, there are some plum trees in the ancient town of Zhujiajiao, and also another plum blossom festival at the Chenshan Botanical Garden in Songjiang district. The Guyi Garden in Nanxiang town, Jiading district may have only 100 plum trees, but it receives a lot less tourists than other destinations and has a more tranquil atmosphere. The Xinzhuang Park in Minhang district is also designated a "plum blossom-themed" park with hundreds of trees.

Downtown blossoms

If the aforementioned blossom spots are a little too far out, there are also some destinations closer to home. Century Park in Pudong New Area has 50,000 square meters of plum blossom trees. The area has nearly 1,000 individual trees, and more than 500 plum-tree penjing (or potted scenery) - artistically designed trees that are bred to be very small, in much the same way as Japanese bonsai trees.

Meichuan Road in Putuo district boasts more than 1,000 plum trees lining its pavements and it is always a popular destination for Shanghai residents at this time of the year.

The Grand View Garden

Add: 701 Jinshang Road

金商公路701号

Tel: 5926-2089, 5926-2831

How to get there: Take tour bus Line 4 at Shanghai Stadium, to get to Daguanyuan station. Or drive along Yan'an Road West, and head to the G50 highway. Get off the highway at Jinze, and turn right for the 318 highway and head straight for Jinshang Road.

Oriental Land

Add: 6888 Huqingping Road

沪青平公路6888号

Tel: 5923-3000

How to get there: The Huzhu Line from West Tour Bus Station (Zhongshan Road West near Wuzhong Road), the Hushang Line from People's Square (Jinling Road West near Madang Road), and the Tour Bus Line A from Shanghai Stadium all go directly to the resort. Or drive along Yan'an Road West, and head to the G50 highway. Get off the highway at Zhujiajiao. Turn right onto Huqingping Road after about 300 meters. Turn left and go about 3 kilometers, and you will arrive at the No.1 entrance to the resort.