The east wind thaws winter’s chill, coaxing forth a thousand delicate blooms. For many, spring remains incomplete without a journey into a world of blossoms. By March, Dongguan’s flowers already burst vibrantly from branches, surging like ocean waves in dazzling clusters of color. Here, spring paints the city half in floral splendor. Step outside, and your path unfolds amid endless blossoms, a feast of delicate hues wherever you gaze.
Yellow Trumpet Trees, Cotton Trees, Himalayan Wildflowers, Sunflowers, Tulips… Flowers of countless forms bloom across Dongguan’s parks, lakesides, bridges, streets, major roads, and commercial hubs, transforming daily life into a tapestry of floral splendor. The city’s vibrant, romantic sea of blossoms complements its high-quality urban living. To enhance the experience, Dongguan’s cultural and tourism authorities have curated comprehensive flower-viewing routes and themed activities, integrating dining, accommodation, transportation, sightseeing, shopping, and entertainment. These thoughtful initiatives attract crowds to admire the blooms, igniting the “flower-viewing economy.”
Where spring’s gentle breath is effortlessly felt, Dongguan bursts into a kaleidoscope of colors. This season, the floral trend sweeps through the city—come and join the bloom!
Flowers as a symbol, Dongguan’s branches are alive with the spirit of spring.
The spring spirit is alive in the flowers, with blooming mountain flowers marking the arrival of the season. Dongguan’s flowers have already started blooming around the Chinese New Year. By the beginning of February, a dazzling array of flowers has bloomed all over Dongguan, bringing the first breath of spring. It’s not just a sea of flowers; driving along the traffic routes and opening the windows, one can experience the “flower-filled” Dongguan anytime, anywhere.
At the West Dyke Flower Sea in Wanjiang, a vast field of sunflowers made a limited-time return in February, blooming radiantly toward the sun. Across the landscape, compact ornamental sunflowers dazzle the eye, their vibrant golden petals contrasting with lush green leaves, creating a shimmering golden expanse. Notably, this site marks the location of “Ancient Ferry Returning Sails,” one of Wanjiang’s historic Eight Scenic Scenes. In recent years, Wanjiang Subdistrict has revitalized the area with parking zones, floral displays, and an ecological recreation zone. Within the flower fields, sail-shaped installations now stand, artfully echoing the historic charm of “Returning Sails” from centuries past.
On Peach Blossom Island in Nancheng’s Shuilian Mountain Forest Park, ten acres of peach blossoms dazzle in full bloom, composing a springtime ode where “blushing peach petals mirror rosy cheeks.” Pink-and-white flowers blanket the branches and cascade across the slopes, cloaking the mountains in a rosy mantle of breathtaking beauty. Meandering through the groves feels akin to wandering an ethereal paradise.
At Shuanggang Urban Pastoral in Houjie Town, nearly 50 acres of rapeseed flowers bloom in unison, their golden-yellow hue outshining even the most vibrant floral displays. From the fields, visitors are greeted by a sprawling golden tapestry that harmonizes with the azure sky and drifting clouds, forming an intoxicating springtime tableau. Meanwhile, at Chashan Shangyuan Rice Field Park, over 30 acres of blossoms create a romantic sea of flowers. The fields come alive with fluttering butterflies and dancing bees, as Himalayan wildflowers and rapeseed plants thrive under gentle breezes that sway their blooms. Viewed from above, the scene resembles a divine palette spilled across the earth. These breathtaking floral vistas have drawn crowds of visitors from cities across the Greater Bay Area.
At the Rainbow Flower Field in the Qiaotou Lotus Cultural and Tourism Industrial Park, vibrant blooms serve as nature’s palette, crafting a springtime masterpiece. Snapdragons, rapeseed flowers, marigolds, grand rose bushes, Himalayan wildflowers, Iceland poppies, and bougainvillea burst into bloom, transforming the landscape into a dreamlike fairy-tale realm for those who wander through this floral sea. The park boasts over 100,000 snapdragon plants spanning approximately 3 acres, their kaleidoscopic petals spreading like vivid carpets that harmonize with whimsical features such as windmills and flower-adorned arches.
In addition, Dongguan Central Park dazzles with blooming tulips, their elegant forms captivating bees and butterflies as they sway gracefully amidst verdant peaks. At the Kuixiang Garden in Cuntou Village of Hengli Town, approximately 21 acres of sunflowers glow in golden brilliance, their petals dancing in the spring breeze while releasing waves of delicate fragrance. Meanwhile, the Xiegang Scenic Area of Yinping Mountain Forest Park hosts a sprawling 495-acre expanse of wild red camellias, which bloom in succession along hiking trails. Hikers are greeted by clusters of crimson flowers adorning trees and slopes, painting the landscape with vibrant vitality beneath clear blue skies. Other enchanting sites include the “Shangdong Flower Sea” in Qishi Town’s Shangdong Village and the waterside maple groves of Dalingya Village in Daojiao Town, each offering dreamlike floral vistas.
The annual “Spring Blossom Spectacle” has returned, providing photographers with idyllic backdrops for their seasonal captures.
Blossoms as a bond: Celebrating festive florals
Amid spring’s fragrant splendor, flowers set the stage for gatherings. During the recent International Women’s Day, Dongguan witnessed scenes of “people rivaling the beauty of blossoms” at floral-themed celebrations. For instance, the picturesque Qingxi Town marked the occasion with its 13th “Floral Culture Festival,” themed “Floral Trend Travel · Poetic Qingxi,” as part of its spring flower-viewing season.
From March 8 to March 31, a series of integrated events will unfold, blending flower-viewing with outdoor sports, China-chic culture, and consumer promotions. Highlights include the “Blossom Music Carnival” and the spring study tour “March in Full Splendor.” Leveraging the floral culture festival platform, along with resources like wisteria vine trails and flower-themed hiking routes, these initiatives aim to boost consumption in dining, accommodation, commerce, and tourism, driving a transformative shift from seasonal flower-viewing activities to a sustained cultural and economic phenomenon rooted in floral appreciation.
Blossoms have long served as a romantic backdrop for festive celebrations in Dongguan, forming a unique hallmark of its spring charm. Reflecting on this Lunar New Year period, creative flower-themed events radiated from the city center to suburban towns, offering endless innovations to captivate visitors.
Visiting Dongguan’s festive floral displays during the Lunar New Year has long been a cherished childhood memory for many. This year, the three-dimensional floral installation at the North Square of the city center dazzled visitors with its grandeur. At its heart stood the “Celestial Dragon Ascendant,” a massive dragon-themed art lantern spanning 1,800 square meters. Designed around five themed photo spots for the New Year, the display featured over 60 varieties of seasonal spring blooms and 50,000 potted plants. To this day, the flowers remain in full splendor—azaleas, camellias, roses, tulips, cosmos, snapdragons, and hydrangeas vie in vibrant hues, transforming Dongguan into a springtime masterpiece.
The 2024 Dongguan Luoyang Peony Culture Festival and the 3rd Peony Appreciation Season, which culminated during the Lantern Festival, were hosted at two venues: the main site at Xiangyu Baihua Garden and a secondary location at the Qiaotou Lotus Cultural Tourism Industrial Park in Qiaotou Town, Dongguan. Spanning over 3,000 square meters, the event centered on peony culture and featured five themed interactive experiences: “Floral Check-In Trends,” “New Year Night Tours,” “Guochao Night Markets” (celebrating national cultural trends), “Hands-On Craft Workshops,” and “Creative Cultural Exhibitions.” Additionally, Xiangyu Baihua Garden captivated visitors with its concurrent Cherry Blossom Festival, showcasing blooms like cherry blossoms, peonies, violets, delphiniums, foxgloves, and chrysanthemums, alongside Instagram-worthy photo spots.
At the “Blossoms of Prosperity: Shijie Spring Flower Festival,” the rapeseed fields at Shijie Qihang Square burst into bloom, becoming a top travel destination and scenic highlight that infused the Lunar New Year with joy and harmony. At Liaobu Town’s rapeseed flower viewing event, visitors immersed themselves in golden seas of blossoms amid rice paddies, savoring spring’s generous gifts. The Orchid Festival at Dongguan’s Shuncheng Agricultural Eco-Park offered expert-guided tours, allowing guests to admire diverse orchid varieties while learning about their cultural significance. Meanwhile, Dongkeng Town’s Yueming Lake Flower Viewing event provided free access to sprawling floral displays, ideal for leisurely strolls and photo opportunities. These floral-themed celebrations invited visitors to experience Dongguan’s “blossom-filled journey” during the Spring Festival.
Blossoms as a thread: Weaving urban cultural tourism
Floral splendor has become a defining feature of Dongguan’s cultural tourism. During peak bloom seasons, flowers draw crowds of visitors eager to explore and photograph the vibrant displays, fueling the growth of the “flower-viewing economy.”
Earlier this year, Dongguan’s cultural and tourism authorities launched four spring flower-viewing routes: “Listen! The Whisper of Blooms,” “Play! Fresh Floral Adventures,” “Discover! Surprises in ‘Guan’,” and “Explore! Spring Strolls Together.” These routes connect 24 curated flower-viewing spots and eco-tourism destinations under the theme “Floral Wonders of Dongguan · Soaring in a Golden Age.” They integrate A-grade tourist attractions, unique accommodations, local culinary delights, and shopping recommendations, seamlessly blending flower appreciation with historical culture, rural experiences, family-friendly education, intangible cultural heritage crafts, and light outdoor activities. Visitors are guided through Dongguan’s floral spectacles, savoring local delicacies while immersing in the city’s springtime vitality.
Furthermore, Dongguan continues to enrich its flower-tourism offerings through industry integration. By pioneering “flower-viewing+” immersive experiences—such as eco-camping festivals—the city amplifies its cultural and tourism strengths, fueling the growth of the “flower-viewing economy.”
In March, the Yellow Trumpet Tree forest by Songshan Lake in Dongguan, which has recently surged in popularity, once again reached its peak blooming season. The golden blossoms formed a vast, shimmering ocean, drawing countless visitors to admire their splendor. On March 1st, amidst this picturesque landscape, the 2024 “Trendy Dongguan · Ecological Camping Festival” (Songshan Lake Edition) and the second Songshan Lake Flower Appreciation Month event, themed “Joyful Lakeside Escapes · Beauty Rivaling Blossoms,” officially commenced. Spanning two days, the festival blended a camping bazaar, vibrant performances, creative photo spots, interactive games, and exclusive discounts, offering attendees a uniquely romantic and delightful experience. This celebration not only highlighted Songshan Lake’s cultural allure but also infused fresh energy into its cultural and tourism industry.
Ms. Mai from Hong Kong excitedly shared with reporters: “I’ve always adored flowers, but this sprawling expanse of Yellow Trumpet Trees in full bloom by Songshan Lake is utterly mesmerizing! I specifically joined a self-drive tour from Hong Kong to experience this spectacle, and it was absolutely worth the trip. The intoxicating natural scenery, combined with the diverse camping festival programs, truly showcased Songshan Lake’s unique charm and vibrant energy.” Preliminary statistics indicate that during the event, the scenic area saw a notable increase in visitors compared to previous years, including many out-of-town travelers drawn by social media buzz.
Finally, a floral preview: “No need to visit Wuhan—Dongguan’s cherry blossoms await!” As spring’s vibrant blooms unfold, many yearn for a sakura-filled journey to savor the season’s romance. Recent posts on Xiaohongshu (Little Red Note) and WeChat Moments reveal that cherry blossoms at Shihai Town’s Haizai Lake Park have begun to bloom, though the peak viewing period is yet to arrive. According to park staff, “They’ll reach their most dazzling splendor by mid-March, drawing crowds annually as they always do.” Known as the “Colorful Forest,” Haizai Lake Park spans approximately 58 acres (350 mu) and planted 530 cherry trees of the China Red and Guangzhou Red varieties in early 2014. Each spring, its sakura-lined paths become a social media sensation.
Blossoms wait for no one. This spring, set out now—before the flowers fade and the season wanes—to embrace Dongguan’s floral extravaganza.
