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Kapok flowers in Guangzhou: View, eat and win gifts

The flower language of kapok is “treasure your loved ones”;

It is said that people who are hit by a falling kapok flower will always be happy;

Kapok tree is also called “the tree of hero”, and kapok flower “the flower of hero”;

Legend has it that, in ancient times, a hero named Ji Bei led people of the Li nationality to resist foreign aggression. Later on, he was betrayed by a traitor and got caught. Although hit by a few arrows, he stood on the peak and became a kapok tree. The arrows turned into branches, and blood into blackish red flowers. In memory of him, the later generation called kapok tree “the tree of hero” respectfully. To further express their love for the ethnic hero, people of Li will plant a kapok tree with much care on every wedding day.

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Kapok flowers are not simply ornamental, but also of great use

Recipe for kapok flower lean meat soup

Where to view kapok flowers in Guangzhou

Special recommendation: Take Guangzhou tourist bus to view kapok flowers

Take photos of kapok flowers to win gifts


Kapok is a kind of tropical tree found in southern China, and known to Chinese people as mu mian, “cotton tree”. In 1982, kapok flower was chosen to become the official flower of Guangzhou.

People in Guangzhou have long been growing kapok trees, using its cotton to make clothes and its flowers to make herbal tea. Locals dry kapok flowers to preserve them, believing that they are good for health when living in hot and humid places.

In March, kapok flowers are in full bloom across the city and can easily be admired in Yuexiu Park, Martyrs’ Park, Tianhe Park, and along many main avenues. The oldest kapok tree is over 300 years old and located near the Sun Yat-sen’s Memorial Hall.


Kapok flowers are not simply ornamental, but also of great use.

Kapok flowers are commonly used traditional Chinese medicines in Lingnan. They clear heat, promote diuresis and remove toxicity, and can be used to treat diarrhea, dysentery, and hemorrhoids bleeding.

Kapok flowers can be used as herbal tea ingredients. In “five flowers tea”, the most common and popular herbal tea in Lingnan, one of the flowers is kapok flower.

Kapok flowers are also favorite soup ingredients in Guangdong. For example, kapok flower lean meat soup clears damp and is easy to make.


Recipe for kapok flower lean meat soup

Ingredients: lean meat (pork) 400g, 5 kapok flowers, pinto beans 50g, hyacinth bean 30g, semen coicis 30g, Euryale ferox 15g, 2 red dates, rhizoma smilacis glabrae 30g, 1 piece of dried tangerine or orange peel, red bean 15g, water, salt;

DIY steps

1. Prepare all the ingredients, wash all the ingredients and soak them in water for 15 minutes except for red dates, then slice the pork meat.

2. Put all the ingredients into cooker, add unboiled water over the ingredients, let it boil on high heat, then use spoon to skim foam from the soup after boiled.

3. Switch to low heat and simmer for 1.5 - 2 hours, add some salt to season the soup, then the soup can be served.


Where to view kapok flowers in Guangzhou

Sun Yat-Sen’s Memorial Hall (中山纪念堂)

In Sun Yat-Sen’s Memorial Hall, there is the oldest kapok tree in Guangzhou, more than 300 years old. It is 25 meters tall, and its tree-crown covers 900 square meters. The road

Add.: No. 259 Dongfeng Zhong Lu (Road), Yuexiu District, Guangzhou

Opening Hours: 8:00 – 18:00

Admission: RMB 10 per ticket

Metro: Take Metro Line 2 and get off at Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall, then go out from Exit C;

Bus: Take one of the following buses to get to the memorial hall: Bus No. 2, 27, 56, 62, 74, 80, 83, 85, 133, 204, 209, 224A, 224, 229, 261, 276, 283, 284, 289, 293, 297, 305, 518, or 556.


Yuexiu Park (越秀公园)

Yuexiu Mountain is a fantastic location for viewing the beauty of kapok flowers. Near the Sea Guard Tower (Zhen Hai Lou), kapok flowers are also in full bloom recently. Many tourists buy tickets to reach the peak of Yuexiu Mountain or climb to the top floor of the Sea Guard Tower to take photos of kapok flowers from the highs.

Add.: No. 960 Jiefang North Road, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou

Opening Hours: 6:00 – 22:00

Metro: Take Metro Line 2 and get off at Yuexiu Park station;

Bus: Take one of the following buses to get there: Bus No. 5, 7, 21, 24, 42, 58, 87, 101, 103, 105, 108, 109, 110, 113, 124, 180, 182, 185, 186, 211, 244, 256, 265, 273, 284, 519, 528, 43, 549, 555, 556, etc.


Peasant Movement Institute (农讲所)

The two kapok trees in front of the Peasant Movement Institute are already in blossom. There is another over 200 years old kapok tree inside the Institute, blooming. When the kapok flowers are in full bloom, many will fall off onto the roof of the ancient architectural complex in the Institute, which is a fine view.

Add.: No. 42 Zhongshan Fourth Road, Yuexiu District;

Metro: Exit C, Peasant Movement Institute Station, Line 1


Sun Yat-Sen Library of Guangdong Province (广东省立中山图书馆)

The kapok trees in front of the library have already entered their flowering time. The library was built in 1912 at a famous historical site called Nan Garden in the Ming Dynasty, then a library for the Qing Dynasty. Ancient buildings, red kapok flowers and the sea of books, what a combination!

Add.: No. 213 Wenming Road, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou

Metro: Peasant Movement Institute Station, Line 1


Museum of the Western Han Dynasty Mausoleum of the Nanyue King (南越王宫博物馆)

Many people go to view relics in the museum, but rarely know that on the third-floor rooftop of the museum, you can view kapok flowers from very close distance.

Add.: No. 867, Jiefang North Road, Guangzhou City

Opening Hours: 9:00 – 17:30

Admission: RMB 12 per ticket

Metro: Take Metro Line 2 and get off at Yuexiu Park, then go out at Exit E;

Bus: Take one of the following buses: Bus No. 5, Bus No. 7, Bus No. 12 (Night), Bus No. 42, Bus No. 180, Bus No. 8 (Night), or Bus No. 55 (Night), and get off at Jie Fang North Road.


Martyrs’ Park (烈士陵园) & Lingyuan West Road (陵园西路)

Inside and around the park, kapok trees can be found easily. And they are in full blossom now.

Add.: No. 92 Zhongshan Er Road, Guangzhou

Admission: Free

Opening Hours: 6:00 am – 10:00 pm

Metro: Exit C of Martyrs’ Park Station, Guangzhou Metro Line 1

Bus: No. 1, 22, 40, 76, 72, 102, 107, 108, 183, 211, 221, 222, 227, 243, 517, 546, 864

Other viewing spots include Jiangnan Avenue (江南大道), Yanjiang West Road (沿江西路), Haizhu Bridge (海珠桥), Liwan Lake Park, Tianhe Park, and many other places around the city.


Special recommendation: Take Guangzhou tourist bus to view kapok flowers.

Special new tourist buses in Guangzhou, offering information and interpretation of popular sites in eight languages as part of a sophisticated GPS system, have already got their maiden run on National Day, 2016.

Three different routes are offered to various cultural landmarks of both new and ancient Guangzhou. The venues include Canton Tower, Beijing Road Pedestrian Street, Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Street, Chen Clan’s Academy, Tianhe business district, Yuntai Garden, Museum of the Western Han Dynasty Mausoleum of the Nanyue King and Ersha Island.

1. New Central Axis (red route)

Stops: Canton Tower (terminus) - Sun Yat-Sen University - Dashatou Cruise Wharf - Ersha Island - Haixinsha Asian Games Park - Tianhe business district

Service time: 09:00 - 20:00 (Bus runs hourly from 09:00 to 12:00, and every half hour from 12:00 to 20:00.)


2. Ancient City (blue route)

Stops: Baiyun Mountain (terminus) - Guangzhou Museum of Art - Sun Yat-Sen’s Memorial Hall - Yuexiu Park - Beijing Road Pedestrian Street - Tianzi Wharf - Dashatou Cruise Wharf - Martyrs’ Park - Huanghuagang Park - Guangzhou Zoo

Service time: 09:00-17:00 (Bus runs every half hour all day.)

3. Xiguan Enchantment (green route)

Stops: Shamian Island - Sacred Heart Cathedral - Haizhu Square - Beijing Road Pedestrian Street (south) - Beijing Road Pedestrian Street (north) - Guangxiao Temple - Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Street - Chen Clan’s Academy - Litchi Bay

Service time: 09:00-17:00 (Bus runs every half hour all day.)


Last but not least, do not forget to take photos of the beautiful kapok flowers and send your favorite shot to GDToday wechat account (scan the QR code to follow us on wechat). You will stand a great chance to win two tickets for the 5A Yearning Tea Plantation Tourist Attraction.  








 

















 


(By Monica, photos/Xinhua, Guangzhou Daily, Southcn.com, etc.)

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