Wintersweet blooms: A fragrant winter experience in Shanghai

Not many flowers can survive the cold winter months. But the wintersweet, also called Chimonanthus praecox, is an exception. This fragrant yellow flower, with smooth petals that look like beeswax, blooms with delicate, see-through flowers in winter and spring.

Check out the best spots in Shanghai to marvel at these enchanting blossoms.

With a history of over 200 years, Qushui Garden is one of Shanghai's five classical gardens, the other four being Yuyuan Garden, Guyi Garden, Qiuxia Garden and Zuibaichi Park.
The first wintersweet blossoms have appeared in the garden, adding a splash of color to winter. Two wintersweet trees near the Ninghe Hall and Yushu Building, planted during the reign of Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), come to life every year with large, fragrant, multi-petaled flowers.
Location: No 612 Gongyuan Road, Qingpu district
Entry: Free

Located in eastern Zhujiajiao Ancient Town, Zhuxi Garden features a classic Jiangnan-style garden with bridges, islands, and ponds. The wintersweets there are currently in early bloom, presenting a stunning sight near the nine-turn zigzag bridge.
Location: No 332 Ningbang Road, Qingpu district
Entry: Free

With the temperature continuing to drop in recent days in Shanghai, several wintersweet plants in Hongyuan Garden are coming into bloom, exuding a faint, refreshing fragrance.
Location: No 354 Jiangchuan Road, Minhang district
Entry: Free

Zhenru Park was established in 1988 as a wintersweet research base. Over time, it evolved into a picturesque public park blending traditional Jiangnan-style aesthetics. Through meticulous care, the park now boasts nearly 60 popular species and has become a popular spot for flower viewing.
Location: No 1894 Daduhe Road, Putuo district
Entry: Free

Currently, wintersweets at Gucun Park are in the early blooming stage, with the peak viewing period expected to occur in mid-to-late January. Any day is a good day tocome enjoy the beauty of the wintersweet blossoms.
Location: No 4788 Hutai Road, Baoshan district
Ticket price: 20 yuan ($2.73)

As Chinese New Year draws close, everything falls silent in Zuibaichi Park, except for a subtle and refreshing fragrance that permeates the air. Wintersweet blossoms appear striking amid the serene garden, with their pale-yellow flowers nestled among the branches, waiting to unfurl.
Location: No 64 South Renmin Road, Songjiang district
Ticket price: 12 yuan

On the south side of Fengyu Bridge in the Shanghai Gongqing National Forest Park, the golden wintersweet flowers resemble small bells. Their inner petals are all yellow, with the petals curling back when in bloom, emitting a strong aroma.
Location: No 2000 Jungong Road, Yangpu district
Entry: Free

In Guyi Garden, wintersweets come into bloom first on the east side of Shouying Suiyue Pavilion, which literally translates to "pavilion of thin shadows and shattered moonlight".
Location: No 218 Huyi Highway, Jiading district
Ticket price: 12 yuan

As the winter frost gets thicker, the wintersweets in SH Blooming Garden start to bloom next to the plum garden and Huahai Road. Their refreshing scent spreads gently throughout the crisp winter air.
Location: No 6060 Xiujing village, Zhujing town, Jinshan district
Ticket price: 30 yuan

Source: Intl Services Shanghai