Recently, lotus flowers have been seen in full bloom across China. And there are many historical sites and public parks where you'll be able to witness peak blooming season.

The green lotus leaves perfectly complement the vivid pink blossoms, bringing some fragrance and coolness to the scorching heat of summer.

In Chinese culture, the lotus flower is a symbol of virtue and moral integrity. The flower manages to maintain its purity, untainted by the fact that it emerges from the mud. Ancient Chinese poets have created many works of literature about the lotus.

So, here we have put together a guide for you on where, when and how to appreciate their seasonal beauty.

Lotus flowers at historical sites

In Beijing, the Old Summer Palace, also known as Yuanmingyuan Park, is a popular spot for visitors to view lotus blossoms. There are more than 200 varieties of lotus plants at the park, which stages a lotus festival every year. The park has created special water viewing routes for visitors. And boat rides are also available for visitors who want to get up close to the blossoms.

Another highlight of the Old Summer Palace is the rebirth of its century-old lotus seeds. In 2017, 11 lotus seeds were discovered at a pond in the park during an archaeological dig.

According to researchers' preliminary estimates, they had been underground for more than a hundred years. In 2019, six of the ancient lotus seeds bloomed under the care of botanists, attracting many visitors to come and witness their miraculous rebirth. The occasion also inspired the design of lotus-shaped ice creams which went viral on social media.

This photo taken on July 1, 2023, shows lotus flowers at the West Lake of Hangzhou in full bloom. /CFP

The West Lake in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, is another popular cultural spot to appreciate lotus flowers. "Appreciating Lotus Flowers at West Lake" is a Chinese poem that describes the fantastic summer scenery, where the tender sunlight reflected in the West Lake makes the lotus flowers shine particularly brightly.

On sunny days, visitors can appreciate the beauty and the translucence of the lotus flower beds. During wet days, visitors can listen to the rhythm of the drizzle and see how the leaves turn greener and the flowers turn brighter after the rainfall.

The best viewing times

Usually, the peak blossom period for lotus flowers in China lasts from July until August and many people like to view them from 6 am to 8 am with the morning dew. This also helps visitors to beat the scorching summer heat during the middle of the day.

Chinese cultural meanings

The lotus flowers, leaves and seedpods have a strong presence in Chinese culture and are often seen in art and literature. The lotus is the symbol of honesty and purity in the eyes of the Chinese people because the flower manages to remain untainted despite having emerged from the mud.

In other cases, the stems of lotus flowers and leaves are comparable to the honesty of a straightforward man. In romantic settings, the lotus flower sometimes is a metaphor for a girl while a fish symbolizes a boy. The seedpods are symbols of fertility offering blessings for more children.