Xiajin's pear blossoms in full bloom

The pear blossoms in the garden bloom vividly. [Video by Deng Meiping provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

In Xiajin county, Shandong, at the Yellow River Old Course National Forest Park, the thousand-mu (66.7 hectares) pear orchard is now in the season of full bloom. It appears as a sea of white flowers emitting a delightful fragrance, truly living up to the name "Fragrant Snow Garden".

This pear orchard was established in the late Sui Dynasty (581-618) or early Tang Dynasty (618-907). It is home to over 2,000 ancient pear trees, with the oldest, known as the "pear tree king", being over 1,000 years old. Through years of meticulous pruning and care, the ancient pear trees here have developed robust and attractive trunks in a variety of unique forms.

The pear blossoms in the Fragrant Snow Garden bloom at this time every year, tender and delicate, filling the air with a fragrance that soothes the heart and soul. Walking through the garden feels like being immersed in an ocean of flowers. As the spring breeze gently blows, the branches sway and the petals flutter down like a flurry of snowflakes, creating a breathtakingly beautiful scene. (Edited by Huang Junyao)