Page 5 - YunnanTourismCultureTimes (98)

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n recent days, the hundreds of jacaranda trees along Middle Jiaochang Road
in Kunming’s Wuhua District have burst into bloom. The vibrant blue-pur-
ple blossoms have metamorphosed the once ordinary street into a romantic
haven, beckoning hordes of visitors to bask in the floral charm of Kunming
Iand leaving them reluctant to part ways with this enthralling vista.
VISION | 视觉
In 1984, the Kunming Institute of Botany,
Chinese Academy of Sciences (KIB/CAS), in-
troduced jacaranda trees from Algeria to Kun-
ming, adding a new touch of color to the city’s
floral beauty. Each year, from late April to early
May, the lively blue-purple flowers blanket both
sides of the over one-kilometer-long Middle
Jiaochang Road, attracting numerous visitors to
revel in the breathtaking spectacle.
The jacaranda trees typically bloom for ap-
proximately a month from mid-April to mid-
May. Since 2019, Kunming’s Wuhua District has
hosted the Jacaranda Culture and Art Festival for
six consecutive years, drawing innumerable tour-
ists from both near and far. In recent days, even
at dawn, Middle Jiaochang Road is teeming with
tourists and photography enthusiasts. Whether
strolling solo or in small groups, they delight in
the enchanting floral vista, capturing unforgettable
moments using their cell phones and cameras.
During the Jacaranda Culture and Art Festival,
one of the specialties that delights visitors is the
jacaranda-themed ice cream. It’s a common sight
to see people holding ice creams as they snap
pictures beneath the jacaranda trees, capturing the
beauty of the moment. Another unique feature of
the festival is the jacaranda-themed buses. Vis-
itors can hop on the double-decker open-top
bus and enjoy the romantic blue-purple scenery
from a close distance while indulging in the de-
lightful jacaranda-themed ice cream.
Furthermore, Middle Jiaochang Road is
adorned with jacaranda-themed decorations,
creating a charming atmosphere throughout. It’s
common to spot visitors dressed in ethnic cos-
tumes and adorned with beautiful garlands, posing
for photographs amidst these picturesque settings.
Additionally, tourists have the opportunity to
partake in professional travel photography, where
they can have jacaranda-themed portraits taken,
ensuring a memorable experience.
At the Jacaranda Culture and Art Festival,
the vibrant booths showcase an array of cul-
tural and creative products. From refrigerator
stickers and keychains to brooches, earrings,
necklaces, pendants, postcards, adhesive tapes,
bookmarks, seals, hand-knitted handbags, and
crocheted hanging ornaments, there is a daz-
zling display of items inspired by jacaranda
flowers for visitors to choose from and take
home as mementos.
Apart from being a destination for admirers
of jacaranda flowers, this place also holds a spe-
cial appeal for art students. They find inspiration
amidst the jacaranda trees, engaging in artistic
creation. Observing the forms and colors of the
trees, adjusting compositions, and carefully se-
lecting color palettes, they all strive to capture the
essence of the floral scenes using their brushes.
The jacaranda flowers blooming along Mid-
dle Jiaochang Road offer a rare sight. Their
unique charm captures the attention of count-
less people, infusing the surroundings with an
invigorating energy. This sea of flowers seems
to be extending a sincere invitation for you to
come and take a leisurely stroll. Let it paint
your world with a new hue as you explore the
many-splendored life that Yunnan has to offer.