'Flower tours' blossom across China

Blooming peonies are a major April attraction at a park in Luoyang, Henan province.[Photo by Li An/Xinhua]

Flowers are not the only sign of life that come with the spring thaw, as the warmer weather has also brought a blossoming of tourism to China. Last week, the Beijing municipal government released a list of 192 areas in the capital where spring blooms, including peach, magnolia, apricot and winter jasmine, can be enjoyed from March to May.

The recommended spots cover an area of 22 square kilometers, according to the city's gardening and urban greening department. Nearly 100 cultural events such as folklore performances and botany exhibitions will also be held during this period.

Elsewhere, the tourism department of central China's Hubei province has picked 20 travel routes for tourists looking to appreciate floral beauty in the countryside.

The routes range from convenient spots in the suburbs to astonishing views in remote mountains, said Zhou Zhengsu, deputy director of the provincial tourism department.

High-speed "flower express" trains have also started running in Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region to help tourists on their spring outings.