Now is the right time to appreciate sweet osmanthus blossoms, the most famous seasonal flower in autumn. Currently, the air of many places in and around Chengdu is perfumed with the blossoms of the delightful legendary plant, bringing a touch of floral mystery.
The following places are best for viewing the sweet osmanthus flowers in and around the city.
Adjoining to the Wild & Narrow Alleys, just about 1,000-meter long, the alley has long been famous for its unique sweet osmanthus scenery on both sides. It is said that it was called "Orange Osmanthus Alley" in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).
In autumn days, local residents like to have tea and read newspaper under the evergreen and fragrant trees along the tranquil alley.
Shou'an Town
Bestowed with mild climate, ample rainfall and fertile soil, the Shou'an Town in Wenjiang District enjoys a favorable natural environment for planting sweet osamnthus trees and is the largest planting base for the plant in southwestern China.
Annually, a popular festival themed sweet osmanthus flower is held in the town. During the event, visitors could appreciate sweet osamnthus blossoms, taste food made of the flowers and watch movies in the open air.
Baihuatan Park
There are different species of sweet osmanthus trees in the Park, such as gold osmanthus trees and silver osmanthus trees. The intoxicatingly fragrant flower is tiny, creamy-white, bright yellow or reddish. In the blooming season, the air of the park is redolent with the sweet scent, attracting a large number of locals and visitors.
Guihua Xiang (Sweet Osmanthus Alley)
Xiaonan Street
In autumn when sweet osamnthus is in full bloom, there is always a nice smell of the flower in the air in downtown Chengdu's Xiaonan Street and Upper Changshun Street, where hundreds of sweet osmanthus trees are planted.
The Guihu Lake Park
There are thousands of sweet osmanthus trees planted in the Guihu Lake Park in Xindu District. Widely known for its various species of sweet osmanthus and hailed as the "Land of Fragrance", the park has been one of the five places in China for appreciating sweet osmanthus flowers since the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).
