Tomb-Sweeping Day is the perfect opportunity to get out among the flowers. Zhang Zixuan introduces colorful Kunming, Luoyang, Wuyuan and Zhoushan Archipelago.

When Tomb-Sweeping Day arrives (April 4), spring has sprung, and families hold memorial ceremonies for their ancestors and deceased family members. They also go out to embrace nature, a sign of a better day to come, which is why the day is also called Taqing, or "hiking in green".

It is also the time to enjoy flowers blooming, such as the kingly peony, golden cole flower, the elegant cherry blossom and many others.

A look at the flowers' cultural backgrounds adds joy to the pleasure of walking through an ocean of flowers.

Peach blossoms in Zhoushan Archipelago, Zhejiang province

Zhejiang

As the seventh biggest among the 1,390 islands in Zhoushan, Zhejiang province, Peach Blossom Island has inspired several martial art movies and TV dramas. Wood houses dot the hillsides, which are covered with pink peach flowers and trees, making it look like utopia.

Dubbed "arboretum on the sea", the island nurtures more than 300 species of plants.

There are also rare animals, caves and bizarre rocks, such as the Buddha-head-shaped stone on the top of Duizhi Hill, which attracts millions of tourists every year.

It is said that an immortal passed by the island when descending from heaven to visit the Earth. He was so charmed by the scene that he decided to become a stone to rest on the island forever.

Jiangxi

Dubbed "China's most beautiful countryside", Jiangxi province's Wuyuan becomes a huge yellow gem during spring.

The county is the base for Hui culture and has nurtured countless scholars, officials and tradesmen.

Hui-style architecture, featuring horse-head walls as well as exquisite wood, brick and stone sculptures, were a feature of ancient China. The remaining Hui-style houses in the county are a nod to past glories.

Jiangling village has the most cole flowers and they blossom upon curved terraces, making them look like golden ribbons waving in the wind. The black-and-white Hui-style houses dot the landscape, forming what looks like a long scroll ink painting.

Likeng village also has stone bridges over the rivers and running alongside the houses. On both sides of the river, vendors sell local specialties, like glutinous rice wine.

Because of its rural beauty, art students frequently visit to practice their art.

During the Luoyang Peony Cultural Festival a pageant performance featuring "Tang Dynasty emperors" and their consorts on a spring outing is held. Cao Fuchuan / for China Daily

Peonies in Luoyang, Henan province

Henan

Peonies have been planted in the ancient imperial city since the Sui Dynasty (AD 581-618) and were most popular in the Tang Dynasty (AD 618-907). Millions of tourists visit Luoyang in spring, just for a glimpse of the regal flower.

Luoyang boasts of more than 40 million peonies, comprising an incredible 1,000 species, which are scattered over more than 10 scenic spots, such as Luoyang National Peony Park, China National Flower Park and Suitang Arboretum.

The China Luoyang Peony Cultural Festival has been inscribed as a State-level intangible cultural heritage, and will be held from April 5 to May 5.

Aside from flower exhibitions, there will be a series of cultural events such as pageant performances, art exhibitions, Chinese chess competitions and group wedding ceremonies. Some intangible cultural heritage shows like Ruyang puppetry will also be performed at the festival.

Yuantong Hill in Kunming is the most-visited city park to enjoy cherry blossoms during spring. Yuan Xiaozheng / for China Daily

Cherry blossoms in Kunming, Yunnan province

Yunnan

Located in the northeast corner of Kunming, Yunnan province, it has been a tradition for locals to climb up Yuantong Hill and merge into the fields of flowers, which includes an 18,000 square meter area with millions of cherry and crabapple blossoms that form a pink blanket from late February to mid April.

Next to the sea of flowers is a zoo, which features more than 500 species of animals such as peacocks, tigers and golden monkeys, as well as rare animals like pandas and red-crowned cranes.

On the hill is the 1,200-year-old Yuantong Monastery - the biggest Buddhist temple in the city, which was built in the Tang Dynasty.

(China Daily 04/04/2013 page10)