Chrysanthemum Exhibition at Huai'an Baima Lake Park

Baima Lake Camping Festival: Huai'an's Autumn Hidden in the Chrysanthemum Exhibition Huai'an, this ancient city floating on a network of waterways, has long been known as the "Canal Capital." The waters of Baima Lake, historically called "Shaobei," were once used by Cao Cao during the Three Kingdoms period to train his navy. In the Ming Dynasty, the talented writer Wu Cheng'en traveled here and depicted the White Dragon Horse transforming in this very water area in "Journey to the West." Every golden autumn, the Baima Lake Chrysanthemum Exhibition arrives as scheduled. This year's exhibition is especially remarkable, with over 600 varieties decorating the entire ecological scenic area into a splendid sea of color. Among ancient bridges and flowing water, gardeners are adjusting the chrysanthemums' posture. A "Golden Dragon Claw" chrysanthemum is in full bloom, its golden petals curled like hooks, resembling a real dragon's claw reaching out. This traditional chrysanthemum cultivation technique is said to originate from the orchid garden skills of Song Dynasty Huai'an. The chrysanthemum art display area on the east side of the park is the most stunning. Artisans use chrysanthemums of different colors to create scenes from "Journey to the West," and the figure of Zhu Bajie carrying his wife makes visitors laugh. Especially notable is a set of "White Dragon Horse Playing in Water" sculptures, made with white chrysanthemums from the lake area, harmonizing beautifully with the shimmering lake surface and cleverly echoing the story from "Journey to the West." On the large lawn in the camping area, various tents are set up. Autumn sunlight filters through ginkgo leaves, casting dappled shadows on the grass. Children chase a colorful butterfly, their laughter drifting across the lake and back. Along the wooden boardwalk by the lake, an elderly couple supports each other as they admire the chrysanthemums. The gentleman occasionally points out different famous chrysanthemum varieties while his partner carefully takes photos with her phone. Reaching the small island in the lake, a tea set is arranged under a century-old sweetgum tree. The tea master brews a unique "Golden Autumn Flavor" using chrysanthemums paired with Longjing tea. Upon tasting, the fresh briskness of Longjing comes first, followed by the sweet clarity of chrysanthemum, much like the impression this city leaves—rich in canal culture yet lively with the unique spirit of a water town. The lakeside at dusk is the most beautiful, with the setting sun dyeing the chrysanthemums and water golden. In the distance, a few fishing boats return, and fishermen share their catch of the day with campers on the shore, grilling fish right on the spot. The smoke from cooking mingles with the scent of chrysanthemums—this is the most authentic taste of Huai'an in autumn. Tips: During the chrysanthemum exhibition, Baima Lake Scenic Area hosts activities such as Hanfu garden tours and tea art demonstrations. It is recommended to wear comfortable shoes as the park is quite large; walking and playing along the way is more enjoyable. The lakeside can be windy in the evening, so remember to bring a jacket.