This spring, slow down and smell the flowers

For example, she keeps in mind that March and April are generally the best months to view peach and apricot blossoms and magnolia flowers in the capital. In March in particular, she likes to go to Beihai Park downtown to enjoy the scent of the wintersweet that grows there.

"It doesn't smell like food or perfume, but uniquely good. One can only appreciate the experience if one goes there in person," she said.

"Last time, I picked one of the flowers and kept it in a book to retain the scent."