Magnolias have brought a vibrant spring atmosphere to Beijing, bursting into bloom across many streets and key cultural sites in March. At the Beijing Art Museum, ancient magnolia trees are currently in full bloom. Xu Yanwei, a museum representative, noted that these magnolias began budding on 9/3 and are expected to reach their peak bloom around 20/3. This period also marks the site's tourist high season. Following the magnolia season, other flowers like crabapples, cherry blossoms, and wisterias will bloom in succession, extending the spring festive mood until late May.

Tourists photograph magnolias at the Beijing Art Museum. The museum is located within Wanshou Temple, an ancient architectural complex dating back to 1577 during the Ming dynasty, often called the "miniature Forbidden City" in the capital's west.

Approximately 15 km from Wanshou Temple, the area around the National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA) also draws many tourists and residents for its magnolia displays.

In mid-March, with Beijing temperatures ranging between 15-18°C, magnolia trees at both locations have burst into bloom simultaneously.

Rows of white and light pink magnolias adorn the National Centre for the Performing Arts. Photographers frequently gather on the western side of the building to capture the flowers reflecting in the artificial lake. The NCPA, an iconic architectural work designed by French architect Paul Andreu, is situated next to Chang'an Avenue and the Forbidden City. Its elliptical titanium and glass dome, which reflects onto the lake, has earned it the nickname Beijing's "giant egg".

An ancient magnolia tree on the grounds of the National Centre for the Performing Arts. Asia's largest art complex features three specialized halls for opera, concerts, and theater. Each March, the surrounding lake area becomes a renowned spot for magnolia viewing.

Magnolias are among the oldest flowering plants on Earth. In Beijing, the white Yulan magnolia is particularly characteristic of spring, known for blooming before its leaves appear.

In local culture, this flower is associated with imperial structures due to its thick petals, neutral colors, and subtle fragrance.

Beyond enjoying the scenic blooms, a new tourism economic model is gaining popularity at museums across China: combining flower viewing with the sale of custom-designed souvenirs. Ms. Zhang, a resident near the Beijing Art Museum, highlighted this trend, stating that in addition to admiring the flowers, she sought a cat and magnolia-shaped fridge magnet, which has become a sensation online. At the Beijing Art Museum, two popular souvenir products exemplify this trend: a 3D potted plant model replicating Wanshou Temple's main gate and a magnet featuring cats hiding under temple lights. These items are thoughtfully designed, drawing inspiration from the site's heritage and daily life.

Mai Phuong (According to Xinhua, Global Times)