Intoxicating Bloom Season - Nanjing, Yangzhou, Xinghua, Wuxi, Yixing

It is again the time of year when orioles fly and grass grows, and spring stirs the heart. I restart the Xinghua Thousand Islets rapeseed flower trip that was postponed for a year.

Not staying overnight in Nanjing is to reduce one hotel check-in/check-out and the back-and-forth between hotel and station. But since it's cherry blossom season, I also have to make a stop.

After getting off the plane, carrying luggage was very inconvenient. Because I had to take an intercity train from Nanjing Station to Yangzhou that evening, I simply stored my luggage at the station and traveled light.

To save time, I chose a nearby never-fail food court to fill my hungry stomach, but unfortunately the crab meat lion's head was sold out.

After eating, I entered Xuanwu Lake Park directly from Xuanwu Gate. On a weekend in bloom season, using the standard phrase from my elementary school compositions, it was crowded with people, shoulder to shoulder. The cute big yellow duck on the lake had turned black; given time, it could be considered as a代言 for a certain black duck.

Entering the park was an hour later than planned, so I had to give up the Lovers' Garden, the long causeway, and the city wall section, and only walk half of it: Liangzhou, Huanzhou, Yingzhou, and Lingzhou.

The park was full of spring scenery, with a hundred flowers vying for beauty, especially the cherry blossoms at their peak.

Cherry blossoms red on the field paths, willow leaves green by the pond.

Among the swallows' calls, another year of longing.

Spring is not old, the wind gentle, the willows slanting.

I heard the park had green cherry blossoms (Yulien sakura). After entering, I kept looking around, afraid that I would miss them like the time I searched all over Wuhan's three towns but found none. Unexpectedly, while turning around on Yingzhou's corridor, I finally caught a glimpse of their beauty. Rare and precious, among the ten miles of blooming flowers, one green cherry blossom stayed in my heart.

Exiting Jiefang Gate, I was immediately facing the Cherry Blossom Avenue at Jiming Temple.

Wanting to understand the emptiness of form as a Buddhist matter, so fragrant trees are planted in the monk's home.

Look closely, it is the Avatamsaka Sutra; the wind conveniently opens the flowers of wisdom.

Leaving Jiming Temple, I went straight to the station to catch the next stop, Yangzhou.

Accommodation in Yangzhou was booked at Changle Inn, which is both a hotel and a scenic spot. It saves time and effort to visit the Shuangdong Historical District, and it's close to Slender West Lake. My little thought was that by staying at Changle, I might not need to spend money on Ge Garden and He Garden, haha.

Changle Inn is antique in style. My first impression was that the threshold was very high; it took a lot of effort to get my suitcase in. After checking in, I followed the staff dragging my luggage to the room. The path was winding, and the endless bumpy stone road vibrated my hands numb. I almost turned to leave several times, but thinking I still had to drag the suitcase out, I could only pray to reach the room quickly. After many twists and turns, I finally got to the room, which exceeded expectations. The room was in a series of small buildings, with two rooms side by side on each floor. Booking two rooms at once could give a relatively private space. The booking description said the room area was 25 square meters, which from experience would mean barely any space to turn around besides the two beds, but it actually seemed to be 40 square meters, with no sense of oppression.

After dropping my luggage, I went back to Shuangdong Street to find food. Although it was in a scenic area, using a meal set I found online, the price was affordable and the taste was good.

After eating, I returned to the room, washed up, and went to bed. I had to get up early the next day for the food.

Ye Chun Garden opens at 6:45. Online tips said to arrive at 6:30 to queue, otherwise you would wait a long time. Despite hurrying, I only left the room at 6:45. There was no one on the street. Surely no one would be that early?

事实证明, there is no earliest, only earlier. By 7:00, it was already full, and I had to wait for the first round to finish eating before I could get a seat. So I had to go creative on an empty stomach.

I waited a full hour. I exchanged the queuing slip for a table card to order food. Holding that long table card, I felt like I was on stage for the Miss Hong Kong pageant. Was I hallucinating from hunger?

On-site, it seemed that one round takes about an hour. Those who arrived late might consider coming after visiting Slender West Lake, but I wasn't sure if the signature dim sum would be sold out, so it's still better to come early. It seemed that meal sets could be pre-booked, but on-site you couldn't order sets. The sets also included must-order signature items. Those interested could do some homework.

After eating, I wiped my mouth and went to visit Slender West Lake. Across the street was Fuchun. There was also a Ye Chun near Slender West Lake and another on Shuangdong Street. The environment at Ye Chun Garden is the best, especially since the Ye Chun on Shuangdong Street was dark inside. Since the taste is the same and you have to queue anyway, my first choice is Ye Chun Garden.

Willows hang low over the remnant weeds; the red bridge with its teeth stands like a painting.

It's also a money-burning place, so it's rightly called Slender West Lake.

Once in the scenic area, I searched for flowers and willows, touching the grass and picking blossoms. There were many more people than at Xuanwu Lake yesterday.

Compared to the bustling southern half with the Spring Willows on the Long Causeway, Little Golden Hill, Fishing Terrace, Five-Pavilion Bridge, and 24 Bridge, I preferred the northern half like the Ten Thousand Flower Garden and the Sparse Forest Viewing Wind. I especially liked the design of the outer wall of the Yangzhou-style Bonsai Museum, which was very much in the style of Suzhou Museum.

Exiting from the north gate of the scenic area, after searching online and checking on the ground, there was no place to eat nearby. I had to go to Liuheju for lunch. But this so-called vegetarian restaurant has a monopoly business, yet the dishes were not that good.

In the afternoon, I went to the Cherry Blossom Avenue on Jianzhen Road to continue打卡. The road was also crowded, and entering from Pingshan North Road was against the light, not good for photos. When I got to Xihu Road, there were far fewer people. Facing such beautiful scenery, I thought the master must not disappoint the boundless spring light.

On the third day, Xinghua rapeseed flowers. To avoid the crowds, I deliberately chose a workday to depart. Yangzhou to Xinghua had inconvenient transportation, so I finally opted for a one-day group tour from Yangzhou to save the hassle of traffic.

The river has many bends and clear water; every field is covered in yellow flowers.

Once a battlefield against the Jin, now ten thousand acres of flower fields. Thousand-islet rapeseed flowers, the most unique rapeseed flower scenery.

Clouds are the soul of mist; bees are the spirit of flowers.

After lunch, I chose to continue touring the Lizhong Water Forest.

In the scenic area, land and water areas are equal. I got on a wooden raft, drifting along the calm water among the trees. Wild ducks sleep on the bank with a leisurely air; old trees in bloom have no ugly branches. Blue sky, white clouds, green trees, birds, reflections dancing, light and shadow shifting; all fatigue vanished, an indescribable comfort. Disembarking, the wooden boardwalk twisted through secluded spots. Wooden tables and chairs were rustic. February orchids bloomed brilliantly on the ground. Stone bridges arched over the water, pavilions reached the clouds. Strolling through the forest, my eyes saw only tranquility, hearing only the chorus of birdsong. A gentle breeze brushed my face, sweeping away all worries. I wished I could fall asleep in the forest. But such beautiful things always come with surprises. The many water birds resting in the forest could turn into bombers at any time, dropping white poop bombs. It all depended on who got lucky.

At night, I returned to Dongguan Street in Yangzhou. I found a 'water bag skin' (foot bath) place and experienced the traditional skills of an old Yangzhou master. After days of fatigue, both body and mind were completely relaxed.

After staying at Changle Inn for 3 nights, I finally got to try the included breakfast.

After breakfast, I wandered around the Street South Study (twelve scenic spots). The hotel reception was at the Street South Study side. To get to the inn where I stayed, I had to go out a side door, then through a small gate to reach the real Changle Inn. Previously, I had always entered and exited directly from the Changle Inn side, which was more convenient. I finally figured out the layout of the place, but it was also time to leave.

While taking photos, clusters of willow catkins drifted with the wind, truly like:

Waking at sunrise, listless and lazy, I idly watch children chasing willow blossoms.

I had pre-arranged with the inn front desk to help deliver my luggage. Riding an electric cart, I easily reached the side of Shuangdong Street. For this service and atmosphere, I'll book Changle Inn again next time.

Last year, a high-speed rail line opened from Yangzhou to Wuxi, making transportation even more convenient.

For my first stop in Wuxi, I chose Yufu Island to photograph the sunset, but poor visibility dashed my hopes. So I circled Lihu Lake along Yufu Island, Bogong Island, and the Light of Lihu. In my disappointment, I stumbled upon a plant I had never seen before—mountain hemp—and I was delighted by its red leaves.

Getting this one photo was enough; time to eat!

At Turtle Head Isle, early cherry blossom varieties like Somei-Yoshino were beginning to fade, and late cherries were just opening. The right time to visit would be half a month before Qingming Festival, when there are also night cherry blossoms.

Yesterday snow like flowers, today flowers like snow.

Mountain cherries are like beauties; their rosy cheeks soon fade.

No snow blowing on cherries, only cherry blossoms blowing like snow.

Gather the blossoms while you may, do not wait until there are no flowers to break.

The seven-mast fishing boats without sails somehow lacked something.

Why do I always feel these boats look like pirate ships? Haha, my mind always wanders off.

After leaving Turtle Head Isle, I discovered a hidden gem: Lihu Central Park, a great place to while away the time. Spring is infinite, flowers abundant, but I chose to add a touch of autumn desolation—just because I'm willful.

Dinner had to be vibrant and lively.

Alright, time to head to the last stop, Yixing. With plenty of time, I took a bus, swaying along. After getting off at Yixing station, I stored my luggage as usual and went to find food first.

A restaurant I found online: what gave me the courage to walk 2 kilometers in a light drizzle (I took the wrong road) to insist on eating there? The taste was actually good, and the portions were huge. I ordered too much but still managed to finish it all. At that moment, I didn't want to see anything related to scales.

As planned, I visited Tuanjiu. Did I foresee that I would be stuffed before setting out?

Willow strands mingle with drizzle; spring lies in the hazy distance.

I took a car to the Bamboo Sea International Conference Center. A foodie is always a person above others. The first thing after dropping luggage was still to find food. This place would be my canteen for the last two days. The complimentary iron-skinned peanuts were very flavorful, but I had to crack them with my teeth. After eating, I pestered the handsome boss for a few more packs, haha, just for fun after the meal.

The Bamboo Sea seems more suitable for summer or autumn visits. But along the way, I had only eaten meat; if I didn't immerse myself in the bamboo forest, wouldn't I be too vulgar to be cured?

Clear air moistens the bamboo grove; white light connects the void.

The bamboo grove harbors a gentle breeze; its lingering echo lasts long.

The higher I went, the thicker the fog became. Truly, deep in the clouds, I knew not where I was.

On the return journey, I encountered air traffic control. While wandering around Wuxi airport, I found that by logging into a certain frequent flyer website, I could redeem miles for goods. Haha, I didn't expect this trip to end with 'fleece the wool' (scoring perks).