Wandering Across the World (1583): Dalian Donggou Flower Sea

One day in late May 2022, I visited the Donggou Flower Sea in Dalian. The photo shows a commemorative shot I took there.

Donggou Flower Sea is located in Donggou, Shihe Village, Shihe Street, Jinpu New District, Dalian. The picture shows the entrance.

Covering nearly 200 mu (about 13.3 hectares), the flower sea is equipped with facilities such as a visitor reception center and an observation tower, making it a great destination for leisure outings for Dalian residents and tourists. The picture shows a panoramic view.

The flower sea features a variety of blooms including Dutch chrysanthemums, Phlox subulata, peonies, blue flax, sage, Sedum spectabile, golden daylilies, crabapple, cherry blossoms, German iris, Acer mono, golden ash-leaved maple, flowering peach, magnolia, and peach-red flowers, creating a beautiful floral landscape. The picture shows an introduction sign.

The ticket office. Tickets are 30 yuan, free for seniors over 70.

There is a kiosk selling cold drinks.

Photo taken at the entrance of Donggou Flower Sea.

Direction signs at the flower sea.

Setting up tents, flying kites, enjoying the flower sea – a pleasant leisure time for families to spend the weekend together.

The picture shows the tent camping area.

This is the flower umbrella street.

Someone taking a photo on the flower umbrella street.

Someone taking a photo on the flower umbrella street.

This year, peonies have been expanded to cover 1/4 of the flower sea area. Although the slightly lower temperature this year has delayed the peony bloom compared to previous years, the blooming period (approximately from May 21 to June 10) will be extended. The picture shows an aerial view of the peony sea.

The two batches of peonies, planted at different times, will bloom in staggered periods, creating a beautiful scene of successive blossoms. Currently, the first batch has begun to bloom. Photo taken at Donggou Flower Sea.

Peonies are a flower that combines passion and reserve, strength and tenderness.

The peak bloom of peonies occurs around mid-May each year, earning them the nickname 'May Flower God'.

This year, the peony blooming period will be extended because the two batches will bloom in staggered succession, creating a spectacular display of continuous blossoms.

Peonies in full bloom, stunning the month of May.

Peonies, with their large blossoms and vibrant variety of colors, are deeply loved. Their floral language signifies beauty and moving grace, devoted love, reluctance to part, and lingering attachment.

Like tree peonies, they are flowers of wealth and honor, symbolizing beauty and prosperity. In ancient times, people gave them to each other to express longing and affection, and they also carry connotations of farewell and sadness.

People assign different meanings to each flower to express human emotions and wishes, and every flower has a beautiful legend. Peonies are no exception.

Legend has it that both peonies (herbaceous and tree) were not ordinary flowers. One year, a plague struck the human world. To save people, the Flower Goddess and a Jade Maiden stole the Queen Mother's elixir. When scattered to earth, part turned into tree peonies and part into herbaceous peonies. Therefore, the leaves and roots of both can be used as medicine.

Peony buds cover the branches, flowers compete in brilliance, like a fairyland on earth, with colorful butterflies fluttering, bees dancing, and a faint fragrance refreshing the heart.

In early summer May, flowers bloom in rivalry, leaves thrive, everything grows wildly, and the scent of plants fills the air.

Peonies in full bloom, stunning the month of May.

Peonies, with their large blossoms and vibrant variety of colors, are deeply loved. Their floral language signifies beauty and moving grace, devoted love, reluctance to part, and lingering attachment.

Rest corridor in the flower sea.

Thatched pavilion in the flower sea, a great spot for photos.

Someone is performing a yangge dance in the flower sea.

Someone is taking photos in the flower sea.

Thatched pavilion in the flower sea, a great spot for photos.

Someone is taking photos in the flower sea.

Couples prefer this heart-shaped sculpture.

Children like this colorful little horse.

Many people are taking photos in the flower sea.

Many people are taking photos in the flower sea.

There is a wooden boardwalk in the flower sea.

On the way back, I pass through the flower umbrella street again.