Forchid Company News – Xiamen in Spring

The spring in Xiamen awakens to the scent of flowers and the sea breeze.

While the chill of the north still lingers, Xiamen quietly dons a new look. Temperatures rise to around seventeen or eighteen degrees—neither too hot nor too cold, just right. Pedestrians shed their heavy coats and their steps grow lighter. The city seems infused overnight with a gentle vitality: tender buds sprout on the treetops, flowers bloom one after another, and even the air carries a faint, sweet fragrance.

I

If one colour were to define spring in Xiamen, it would be pink.

Along Hubin North Road, the Bauhinia variegata are in full bloom. Rows of flowering trees are almost hidden beneath blossoms—pink and white flowers cluster densely on the branches, looking from afar like rosy clouds settling along the street. Walking among them, with endless pink above and gently falling petals below, it feels like stepping into a springtime dream. A local resident remarked that after dinner, they come here for a stroll every day: "With a gentle breeze and the profusion of flowers, it's especially delightful."

Meanwhile, at Huwei Mountain Cherry Blossom Valley, another shade of pink unfurls. Guangying cherries, with their characteristic romance, tint the entire valley in a hazy pink glow. Overlooking from the elevated promenade, the pink sea of blossoms complements the city skyline in the distance, with the Pearl Tower peeking through the branches—a perfect backdrop for photos. The cherry blossoms do not last long, fading by the end of March, so every year at this time, crowds of residents rush to catch this annual pink spectacle.

Then there are the kapok trees, which offer a more intense red. In front of Nanputuo Temple, tall kapok trees stand upright, their orange-red blossoms adorning the branches, contrasting beautifully with the temple's yellow walls and dark tiles. Beneath the blue sky and white clouds, the petals appear full and vividly coloured; when a gentle breeze rustles through, the dappled flowers add a touch of vitality and liveliness to this ancient temple.

II

Spring in Xiamen is found not only in parks but also in everyday streets and lanes.

The large-leaf banyan trees perform a curious seasonal ritual: they shed their old, golden leaves while simultaneously sprouting emerald-green buds. The rustling fallen leaves carpet the pavement, crunching underfoot and giving one the illusion of autumn. Yet a glance upward at the canopy of fresh green reminds you: this is spring—a uniquely Xiamen spring tinged with autumnal charm.

Pyrostegia vines, on the other hand, are an entirely different presence. They are never picky about where they grow—by a wall, at a gate, in the crevices of old masonry—as long as there is a patch of soil, they climb and burst forth in fiery bloom. Dense clusters of orange-red flowers hang down, much like firecrackers lit for a festival—vibrant and exuberant. A visitor who saw pyrostegia for the first time in Xiamen was deeply moved by its tenacious vitality, describing it as "a kind of slightly bohemian, polite warmth."

Out in the fields of Xiang'an, acres of rapeseed flowers sway in the wind, their golden sea dazzling under the sun. Unlike the exquisiteness of the city, spring here is more expansive and unrestrained. Pathways have been built through the fields, dotted with white windmills; families spread out picnic blankets while children run among the blossoms and adults sit together chatting, savouring a rare moment of leisure in spring.

III

The sea is an indispensable element of spring in Xiamen.

In spring, the sea sheds the harshness of winter without yet taking on the clamour of summer. The sea breeze along the Ring Road carries a chill that is not biting, just enough to lift the hem of a shirt. On Baicheng Beach, some people fly kites, others build sandcastles, and some sit quietly, watching the sunset dye the horizon orange.

Early morning on the "One Country, Two Systems" beach often sees not a soul around. The waves, no longer roaring as before, murmur softly as they gently and rhythmically wash over the sand. In the distance, a lighthouse painted bright red stands out vividly in the morning light. Locals come to forage along the shore; a couple walks hand in hand across the sand—not so much to gather anything from the sea, but perhaps to gather a moment of peace in their lives.

Gulangyu Island, too, wears a new face this season. After a sudden spring shower, beneath the arcades on Lujiao Road, cascades of orange-red pyrostegia tumble down from the南洋-style window grilles, imbuing the century-old red brick with the colours of a Monet water lily. The faint sound of piano drifts from the Piano Museum, interweaving with the sound of waves, adding a touch of romance and poetry to the islet.

IV

Spring in Xiamen is also a feast on the tongue.

Early mornings at the Eighth Market are liveliest. Vendors display freshly arrived seafood; prawns and crabs wave their claws energetically in the tanks. The aroma of misua soup wafts from the alleys; paired with fried dough sticks, it makes for the most comforting breakfast for locals. The rich broth of satay noodles bubbles away, the fragrance of peanut butter irresistible to passersby.

In this season, spring bamboo shoots and wild vegetables appear on the market, bringing a taste of the mountains to the dining table. Elderly Xiamen residents also make a batch of peach blossom wine during this time, sealing spring away to be savoured slowly in the months to come.

V

Some say spring in Xiamen is fleeting—so short that before one can truly appreciate it, summer rushes in. Yet perhaps it is precisely this brevity that makes it so precious.

The blooming flowers, the fresh green leaves, the gentle breezes, the serene sea—they are all love letters spring writes to this city. And everyone who walks through Xiamen in spring is a recipient of these letters.

Spring days are precious, and the flowers wait for no one. So if you find yourself in Xiamen, take advantage of the fine weather, step outside, and encounter this springtime romance of the island of egrets. Perhaps on some street corner, beneath a canopy of blossoms, in a breath of sea breeze, you will meet spring at its finest.