As March 2026 reaches its midpoint, Beijing's iconic Summer Palace has transformed into a living watercolor painting with hundreds of mountain peach trees bursting into full bloom. The delicate pink flowers now adorn the historic landscape, creating a striking visual harmony with the fresh green foliage of weeping willows along Kunming Lake.
This annual phenomenon, known locally as "pink peaches and green willows," has drawn both photographers and nature enthusiasts to the 18th-century imperial garden. The floral display coincides with comfortable spring temperatures averaging 15°C (59°F), making it an ideal time for outdoor exploration.
Park officials report that this year's bloom arrived slightly earlier than usual due to warmer-than-average temperatures in early March. The current floral spectacle is expected to remain at peak vibrancy through the first week of April, according to horticultural experts at the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Cultural historians note that the "pink peaches and green willows" motif has been celebrated in Chinese poetry and painting since the Qing Dynasty, representing renewal and the harmonious balance of nature. The Summer Palace continues this tradition by maintaining over 300 flowering peach trees originally planted during the reign of Emperor Qianlong.
With visitor numbers projected to exceed 1.5 million this season, the park management has implemented extended opening hours and added bilingual interpretation panels explaining the historical significance of key blossom-viewing locations.
