Flocking to flowers

A growing number of people visit Beijing's parks to enjoy the colorful blossoms of mountain peaches, apricots and cherries.

Vast swaths of Daxing district's Panggezhuang town will bloom with white pear flowers next month. Ancient trees remain in Lihua village, whose name translates as pear flower. It was the imperial family's designated pear supplier during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).

Closer to downtown, the Beijing Botanical Garden hosts up to 10,000 flora species. It'll soon host its annual Beijing Peach Flower Festival.

Its mountain peach blossoms reach full bloom a week earlier than what's typical in Beijing.

Yulan Magnolia, forsythia and cornel are also unfolding their petals.

It's the best time to visit the garden.

Entering from the southeast gate leads visitors along a pathway lined with pink blooms.

Walking west takes visitors to the South Lake, where pink mountain peach and yellow winter jasmine blossoms are mirrored in its ripples.

Tulips, Chinese crab apple and cloves will erupt next.

Yuyuantan Park recently launched its annual Cherry Blossoms Culture Festival.