Hangzhou Botanical Garden Plum Blossom Viewing Guide: A Local's Perspective

The first breath of spring awakens the Hangzhou spirit— The century-old plum blossoms at Lingfeng are in full bloom! Thousands of plum blossoms, a secret route with fewer crowds and more flowers + exclusive photo tips. Read this guide and gain 10 years of plum blossom viewing experience👇 🔥 Local's Secret Route Qingzhiwu Entrance → Pinmei Garden (1 hr) → Yaotai (Overlooking Flower Sea) → Seven Star Ancient Plum (0.5 hr) → Lamei Garden (Fragrance) → Yuquan Yuyue Exit ⚠️ Important Reminder: Entering from the Qingzhiwu side gate saves 20 minutes compared to the main gate! 🌸Plum Blossom Viewing Spots🌸 ✅Grassland Plum Blossoms: Red and white plum blossoms planted on the lawn, now a plum grove. Many families come for picnics and enjoy the sun. Suitable for panoramic photos and wide-angle views. ✅Pinmei Garden: A meticulously arranged plum garden with pavilions and waterside terraces, adding a touch of elegance. The main plum blossom viewing area, and also the most crowded. ✅Seven Star Ancient Plum: The highest point of the tour, much less crowded than Pinmei Garden. Legend says that the plum blossoms were planted by monks from Lingfeng Temple. Over centuries, only seven clusters remain, arranged like the Big Dipper. 📸 Phone Camera Tips to Rival DSLRs 1️⃣ Pinmei Garden East Wall Moon Gate: Shoot Yaotai in the distance through the moon gate, with plum blossoms in the foreground and buildings in the background. 2️⃣ Seven Star Plum Viewing Pavilion Stone Bench: Sit down and take a downward shot of your feet + fallen flowers on the ground for a mysterious, faceless vibe. 3️⃣ Lamei Garden Bamboo Fence: Shoot against the light to capture the translucent petals like stained glass, with a golden bokeh effect. 💣 Warnings ⚠️ Pinmei Garden gets incredibly crowded after 10 am on weekends! It's recommended to reverse the route and head to the summit first. ⚠️ Parking at Qingzhiwu is 20 yuan/hour! Park at Huanglong Sports Center and walk 15 minutes to save 80 yuan. ⚠️ Don't touch the century-old plum trees! Some fences have amusing "Bad Luck Transfer Warning" signs. Special Forces Guide 🎫 Tickets: 10 yuan (free with park card)｜⏰ 6:30 am - 5:30 pm 🚇 Transportation: Subway Line 3, Huanglongdong Station, Exit C, then a 10-minute bike ride.