Springtime Guide to Photographing and Admiring Flowers at Dai Temple

Pass through the Zhongyang Gate (South Gate) to enter Dai Temple, where on the east side at the base of the wall, there are several lilacs that are not very tall, but have unique flower shapes. The flowers are plump and round, either heart-shaped or resembling chubby snowmen. Right next to the wall, in the flowerbeds, peonies are planted, with their bright and beautiful colors; while on the west side, the flowerbeds are home to the noble peony, with its various flower shapes competing in splendor. Along the road connecting Hanbaiyuan and Tanghuaiyuan, peach blossoms are planted on both sides, blooming so radiantly that they captivate the soul; and separating the flowerbeds from the road are the stick-tight crabapples, with clusters of bright red flowers hidden among the green branches, almost invisible from afar, only to reveal their splendor upon closer inspection. On both sides of the Peitian Gate, there are several purple magnolias, almost the earliest blooming flowers in Dai Temple, blooming before the green leaves, heralding the arrival of spring; in front of the gate, two large white lilacs, when in bloom, waft their fragrance through the air. From Peitian Gate to Ren'an Gate on both sides, there are two fish ponds with round and plump koi, surrounded by several cherry trees. When the flowers bloom, the spring breeze is gentle, and the branches sway, intoxicating those who see them. Next to the side hall on the west side of Ren'an Gate, there are also two green hydrangeas, which are a feast for the eyes when in bloom. On the corridors on both sides of the Houqin Palace, quiet wisteria covers the area, with its vines winding gracefully, an indescribable beauty. By the red walls, the winter plum blossoms, stubbornly blooming their last bit of stunning beauty, emit a unique fragrance. And then there are the rehmannias blooming on the wall tops and in the nooks and crannies, making one marvel at the brilliance of spring. Not to mention the greenhouse flowerbeds inside the Houzai Gate (North Gate) on the west side, adorned with hibiscus, tassels, longevity flowers, water lilies, and more.