PLUM blossoms and snow always go hand in hand and it’s definitely one of the most poetic things that Guangdong people long for in wintertime: Appreciating plum blossom trees while stepping through a snow-covered path. Though snow might be a bit hard to get in most parts of Guangdong, there are still places where we can appreciate the snow-like plum blossoms and take in their fresh fragrance. Meiguan Ancient Post Road in Shaoguan The plum blossoms are in full bloom in the south side of Meiguan Ancient Post Roa44d, which adds a romantic touch to the place with antique flavor. Located on the boundary of Dayu County of Jiangxi Province and Nanxiong City of Shaoguan, Meiguan Ancient Post Road was first built in the Qin (221-206 B.C.) and Han (206 B.C.-A.D. 220) dynasties. In order to promote trade communication, the Tang Court constructed the post road, a passage trod by merchants from Jiangxi and Guangdong. Today, after some 2,000 years, the ancient post road is still kept intact. December or January is the best time to visit Meiguan, as it is the time when the florescence of plum blossom prevails all over the hill and dale. The ancient post road is a superior choice for tourists fond of tranquility and something redolent of the past. Add: Meiling Village, Zhuji Town, northeast of Nanxiong, Shaoguan 韶關市南雄市東北方向珠璣鎮梅嶺村 Tickets: 40 yuan Tianlu Mountain in Yunfu When you come to Tianlu Mountain in late winter, the gentle and sweet fragrance of plum blossom is sure to allure and guide you to your destination even from a distance. If you stand on the glass bridge, you will take in the awesome view of plum blossom all over the mountain under your feet. Tianlu Mountain Tourist Resort is located in the Chinese Zen Capital — Xinxing County of Yunfu, which is at an altitude of 1,251 meters. It is wreathed in mist all year round, with rare rocks everywhere and capped across by different flowers including the azalea, plum blossom and mucuna birdwoodiana flowers, pomegranate flowers, camellia, and alsophila spinulosa. The air in the high mountain forest contains 100,000 anions per cubic centimeter, forming a natural oxygen bar. With a profound history and culture, Tianlu Mountain contains historical remains where the sixth Patriarch Huineng meditated. When you come, also stroll around the Meixi Town, visit the bell and drum tower and the ancient tower, and take a dip in the hot spring to relax your body and soul. Add: No.1, Luodong Village, Lidong Town, Xinxing County, Yunfu 云浮市新興縣里洞鎮洛洞村1號 Tickets: 98 yuan (including the glass bridge) Liuxi River National Forest Park in Guangzhou On the shores of the Liuxi River in Guangzhou, more than 100,000 plum trees are flowering in the cold of winter. With thousands of clusters of snow-white blossoms covering the hills, the entire scene generates a unique image like the whole mountain is covered by a large blanket of snow, especially when appreciated from afar, hence the saying “Liuxi Fragrant Snow.” Nurtured by the river, the red maple leaves and the snow-white plum blossoms are reflected in the flowing green water to form picturesque scenery. Add: Liuxi River Farm, Liangkou Town, Conghua, Guangzhou 廣州市從化區良口鎮流溪河林場 Tickets: 30 yuan Tip: The 17th Conghua Liuxi River Plum Blossom Festival will is being held till Jan. 13 in Nanshan Plum Garden. Luogang Xiangxue Park in Guangzhou Luogang’s plum planting history can date back to the Song Dynasty (960-1279). Xiangxue Park consists of thousands of blooming plum trees. When the deepest season of winter arrives, the white plum blossoms make the park look like as if it is covered by snow, and the scene is so attractive that it lures visitors in large numbers. The park, located on the eastern outskirts of Guangzhou, is one of the eight specially designated attractions of Guangzhou selected in 1963. Add: Luofeng Road, Luogang Town, Huangpu District, Guangzhou 廣州市黃埔區蘿崗鎮蘿峰路 Tickets: Free Lianghua Plum Garden in Huizhou Lianghua Plum Garden is home to over 3,000 mu of plum blossom, making it one of the largest plum gardens in the country. When the plum flowers are in bloom, the whole place turns into a snow-like fragrant fairyland. Besides the plum blossom, you can also check out the ancient ancestral temple, the ancient folk houses, and other time-honored buildings built in the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties in Pinghai Ancient City. Also don’t forget to treat yourself a feast of seafood in Dongsheng Fishing Village. Add: Lianghua Tree Farm, Lianghua Town, Huidong County, Huizhou 惠州市惠東縣梁化鎮梁化林場內 Tickets: Free (Chen Xiaochun) | 