A budding attraction

Apricot blossoms

Apricot blossoms usually emerge before peach blooms. They change color over time, and are bright red while budding before turning white until they fall. The best time to view them is from mid-March to early April.

There is a forest of 150 apricot trees in the northwestern part of the Temple of Heaven. They were planted in the late 1950s, and some of the old trees have developed strong branches and lush blossoms.

The Badaling Section of the Great Wall is flanked by many hectares of apricot trees. Hiking the Great Wall while the apricot blossoms are in full bloom is highly recommended. The wall looks like a huge dragon meandering among a sea of blossoms.