When plum blossoms are in full bloom, the phrase "Fragrant Snow Sea" takes on a whole new meaning.

The Fragrant Snow Sea in Guangfu Town, Suzhou, is a renowned spot for plum blossom viewing. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, it was said that "Dengwei's plum blossoms are the best in the world," and Emperor Qianlong even visited six times to admire them. I first heard of "Fragrant Snow Sea" in reference to a famous Suzhou cuisine restaurant. I thought the name was quite poetic but a bit difficult to remember. I visited the Fragrant Snow Sea scenic area in Guangfu Town during the peak plum blossom season (March 25th), and I finally understood that each word in "Fragrant Snow Sea" is descriptive. 🌸 The best view is halfway up the mountain. Just climb less than 50 meters to a platform with a small teahouse, where you can overlook a sea of white and pink blossoms. Take a couple more steps up and be sure to look back at the "Plum Wife and Crane Son." At the top, you can see a corner of Taihu Lake, but the flower view is quite ordinary. 🌸 About a kilometer from Fragrant Snow Sea, the plum garden by Xiayanghu Lake is also a delightful surprise. This is a free, privately owned plum garden (the owner is a saint!). The garden boasts a wide variety of plum blossoms, each with unique colors and branch shapes. The garden borders Xiayanghu Lake, creating a picturesque scene with the lake, sailboats, and plum blossoms. It's located at the Guolinchang bus stop, right next to the stop.