A Guide to Visiting Blossoms Around Asia During Chinese New Year

Chinese New Year is one of the most vibrant and significant holidays in Asia, celebrated with various traditions, feasts, and cultural practices. One of the most iconic symbols of the New Year celebrations is the blossoming of certain flowers, which are believed to bring good luck, prosperity, and fortune. Visiting these blossoming sights across Asia during the festive season is an enriching experience, offering travelers a chance to witness the beauty of nature intertwined with cultural traditions. This Bloom & Song HK Florist guide highlights some of the best destinations to visit and the significance of blossoms during Chinese New Year.

1. China - Peach Blossoms & Plum Blossoms

Peach Blossoms (桃花)

• Where to Visit:

  • Hangzhou: The city's West Lake is famous for its scenic beauty, and during Chinese New Year, peach blossoms add a touch of elegance to the landscape.

  • Suzhou: Known for its classical gardens, Suzhou sees vibrant peach blossoms filling parks and riverbanks around Chinese New Year.

  • Chengdu: In Sichuan province, peach blossoms bloom in early spring, particularly in scenic areas like the Mount Qingcheng region.

• Cultural Significance:
  Peach blossoms symbolize romance and new beginnings. In Chinese culture, the flower is associated with love and is believed to attract good fortune, making it a popular sight during the New Year celebrations.

Plum Blossoms (梅花)

• Where to Visit:

  • Jiangsu: The city of Nanjing is famous for its plum blossoms, which bloom around the New Year, covering the landscape in delicate white and pink flowers.

  • Beijing: The Beijing Botanical Garden and Summer Palace feature beautiful plum trees that bloom around the New Year.

• Cultural Significance:
  Plum blossoms represent resilience and perseverance, as they bloom in the cold winter months. They symbolize the arrival of spring and are cherished for their delicate beauty. The plum blossom is also one of the "Four Gentlemen" in Chinese culture, representing noble character.

2. Hong Kong - Lunar New Year and Blossoms

Peach Blossoms & Kumquat Trees

• Where to Visit:

  • Victoria Park Flower Market (Causeway Bay): The iconic flower market in Hong Kong is filled with stalls selling peach blossoms, kumquat trees, and other auspicious plants. It’s a must-visit during the lead-up to Chinese New Year.

  • Kowloon Walled City Park: This historical park is home to a number of flowering plants, including peach blossoms, that bloom during the season.

• Cultural Significance:
  Peach blossoms are commonly used for decorations as they symbolize good luck and are believed to drive away bad spirits. Kumquat trees, with their golden fruits, symbolize wealth and prosperity, making them a frequent sight during Chinese New Year.

3. Japan - Plum Blossoms and Cherry Blossoms

Plum Blossoms (梅)

• Where to Visit:

  • Kairakuen Garden (Mito): One of Japan’s Three Great Gardens, it features a stunning plum orchard that blooms in late winter to early spring, coinciding with the Chinese New Year period.

  • Adachi Museum of Art (Shimane): Known for its traditional gardens, Adachi also showcases lovely plum blossoms that bloom around Chinese New Year.

• Cultural Significance:
  In Japan, plum blossoms symbolize hope, the arrival of spring, and perseverance. They are often seen in New Year decorations and are revered for their ability to bloom amidst the cold of winter.

Cherry Blossoms (さくら)

• Where to Visit:

  • Kyoto: Although cherry blossoms bloom later in the spring, Kyoto's temples and parks begin to see early blooms in February, and the city offers a peaceful atmosphere for those looking to enjoy early sakura.

  • Tokyo's Ueno Park: Ueno is known for its cherry blossoms, and although they bloom later, early varieties begin to flower just before Chinese New Year.

• Cultural Significance:
  Cherry blossoms are an iconic symbol of Japan, representing the fleeting beauty of life. Though they typically bloom in March or April, early-blooming varieties signal the approach of spring and are revered in Japanese culture.

4. Taiwan - Plum Blossoms and Cherry Blossoms

Plum Blossoms (梅花)

• Where to Visit:

  • Alishan: Alishan is famous for its plum blossom season, which peaks around Chinese New Year. The rolling hills and the iconic mountain range provide a stunning backdrop for the blossoms.

  • Yangmingshan National Park (Taipei): Yangmingshan, close to Taipei, features beautiful plum orchards that are in full bloom during the New Year period.

• Cultural Significance:
  Plum blossoms are a sign of the end of winter and the beginning of spring. They are associated with perseverance and renewal, making them a common sight during the Chinese New Year.

Cherry Blossoms (櫻花)

• Where to Visit:

  • Taichung: The region around Taichung features early-blooming cherry blossoms that coincide with Chinese New Year. The cherry blossom season typically starts in January and continues through February.

  • Wulai: Just outside Taipei, Wulai offers a picturesque setting with cherry trees blooming during the New Year season.

• Cultural Significance:
  Cherry blossoms are symbolic of life’s impermanence, beauty, and fragility. While they bloom a bit later than plum blossoms, they still offer a glimpse of spring's arrival during Chinese New Year.

5. South Korea - Plum Blossoms and Cherry Blossoms

Plum Blossoms (매화)

• Where to Visit:

  • Jinhae: Known for its cherry blossoms, Jinhae is also home to some of the first plum blossoms in early spring, often in bloom before Chinese New Year.

  • Gyeongju: This historical city features plum blossoms that add to the charm of its ancient sites during Chinese New Year.

• Cultural Significance:
  In Korea, plum blossoms represent perseverance and are often associated with the hardiness of the Korean people. The flowers are admired for their resilience as they bloom before spring fully arrives.

Cherry Blossoms (벚꽃)

• Where to Visit:

  • Seoul: While cherry blossoms bloom later, the warmer southern regions like Jeju Island begin to see blossoms in late February to early March.

  • Boseong: Famous for its tea plantations, this region also sees early cherry blossoms bloom around the Chinese New Year period.

• Cultural Significance:
  Cherry blossoms in Korea are celebrated for their beauty, symbolizing purity, renewal, and the fleeting nature of life. They are central to the Korean concept of “han,” the bittersweet beauty of transient life.

6. Vietnam - Peach Blossoms and Apricot Blossoms

Peach Blossoms (Hoa Đào)

• Where to Visit:

  • Hanoi: The capital city is filled with peach blossoms around the Lunar New Year, particularly in the famous Old Quarter.

  • Sapa: In the northern region of Vietnam, peach trees bloom in the colder mountain air, offering a serene setting during Chinese New Year.

• Cultural Significance:
  Peach blossoms in Vietnam symbolize prosperity, health, and good fortune for the new year. They are particularly associated with Tết, the Vietnamese Lunar New Year, and are a symbol of growth and renewal.

Apricot Blossoms (Hoa Mai)

• Where to Visit:

  • Ho Chi Minh City: Southern Vietnam’s warmer climate makes it a prime location for apricot blossoms, which bloom in the days leading up to Tết.

• Cultural Significance:
  Apricot blossoms, unlike peach blossoms, are more common in southern Vietnam. They symbolize wealth, good luck, and happiness for the coming year.

Flower viewing during Chinese New Year is more than just appreciating nature; it’s an integral part of celebrating the arrival of spring and the hopes for a prosperous year ahead. Whether it's the plum blossoms of China, the cherry blossoms of Japan, or the peach and apricot flowers of Vietnam, each region offers a unique experience that combines culture, nature, and tradition. Make sure to visit these stunning floral displays during the festive season to fully embrace the beauty and symbolism of the Chinese New Year.