Shenzhen in Bloom: A sea of Chinese roses at Renmin Park

Editor’s note:

Spring is in full swing, which is great news for flower lovers. From adorable trumpet-shaped flowers to delicate cherry blossoms to undulating yellow rapeseed flower carpets, flowering plants adorn Shenzhen all year around, but more prominently in this season. It’s not difficult to find a small sea of flowers in this city with 1,260 parks, and these colorful buds are even ubiquitous along busy streets amid all their hustle and bustle. This series, “Shenzhen in Bloom,” will give a glimpse of these picturesque places to celebrate abundance as well as beauty in the natural world of Shenzhen.

Native to the temperate areas of Sichuan, Hubei, and Guizhou provinces in southwestern China, Chinese roses usually flourish in cooler climates than Shenzhen’s. The city’s Renmin Park, however, has found ways to tend the perennial evergreen shrub following years of exploration and has built itself a Chinese roses-themed park after introducing roughly 70 varieties of the flower. Visitors can encounter different types of Chinese roses in bloom at different time of the year and those who are especially interested in Chinese roses can enjoy the opportunity to learn more while admiring the fragrant flowers. Recognized as a center for Chinese rose cultivation in South China, the park blends Chinese rose culture into its buildings, sculptures and regular events it holds.

Add: Renmin North Road, Luohu District (罗湖区人民北路人民公园)

Metro: Line 3 to Shaibu Station (晒布站), Exit D1 and then walk for 9 minutes; Line 1 to Laojie Station (老街站), Exit F and then walk for 13 minutes

Chinese roses in full bloom in Renmin Park. Photos by Wang Haolan