While the northern regions are covered in a blanket of white, Spring City, Kunming, has painted a "winter ecological tableau" with its continuous floral displays. On the afternoon of January 11th, the reporter ventured through Kunming's streets and alleys, exploring firsthand how this plateau city, known for its "weather often like March and April, with flowers blooming ceaselessly throughout the four seasons," embodies its unique winter romance.

Winter cherry blossoms at the intersection of Meijiang Road and Longquan Road.

Kunming's Streets Adorned with "Out-of-Season" Splendor

At 4 p.m., along both sides of the road at the intersection of Meijiang Road and Longquan Road, pink winter cherry blossoms draped the branches like sheer veils. Sunlight filtered through the petals, casting dappled shadows on pedestrians' shoulders. A young couple held up their phones, taking photos against the floral avenue. "The North is already experiencing heavy snowfall, but Kunming seems to have stolen half of spring." The girl's smile was as bright as the cherry blossoms. This seemingly "out-of-season" splendor is an everyday sight on Kunming's winter streets.

Turning into the vicinity of the Shili Jiurutang residential area on Jiaochang North Road, Chimonanthus praecox blossoms bravely bloomed on the branches, unfazed by the cold. Adjacent to them, several tall magnolia trees were already laden with pure white flowers, resembling upright jade cups, flawless and pristine. Red plum blossoms were passionate, and magnolias were elegant, as if engaged in a "red and white competition." Ms. Li, playing cards with friends outside the community activity center, chuckled, "Every day I sit here, I can smell the fragrance of Chimonanthus praecox. It's wonderfully pleasant." A sense of daily life quietly merged with natural fragrance here.

Chimonanthus praecox and magnolia blossoms near Shili Jiurutang residential area on Jiaochang North Road.

Later, reporters arrived at the street garden opposite the Bashi Jiayuan residential area on Zijin Road. The scene here was even warmer: several elderly people were playing with their grandchildren, children’s laughter ringing clear. Behind them, golden soapberry trees shone brilliantly under the winter sun, complementing the surrounding camphor and holly trees, creating a colorful and layered oil painting.

Soapberry trees in the street garden opposite Bashi Jiayuan residential area.

Furthermore, early plum blossoms have quietly bloomed in Kunming's Heilongtan Park. Their pink petals resembled rosy clouds, and their pure white stamens were like snow, with a delicate plum fragrance lingering in the woods. This has attracted many citizens and tourists to visit and take photos.

Early plum blossoms in Kunming's Heilongtan Park have quietly bloomed.

"Out-of-Season Coexistence" Phenomenon Has Become Kunming's Urban Ecological Identifier

Experts from the Kunming Institute of Landscape and Gardening Science explained: "Kunming's average winter temperature ranges from 6℃ to 15℃, with an average annual sunshine duration exceeding 2,200 hours. These climatic conditions disrupt the normal growth rhythms of plants, causing some flowers that should bloom in spring to blossom in advance, appearing 'concurrently' with genuine winter flowers, evergreen plants, and fruit-bearing trees, creating a 'seasonal coexistence' ecological spectacle." This natural phenomenon has become Kunming's urban ecological identifier.

Magnolia flowers resemble inverted jade cups, pure and flawless.

From the rosy pinks of winter cherry blossoms, the proud elegance of Chimonanthus praecox, the flawless white of magnolias, the golden fruits of soapberries, to the pure elegance of plum blossoms, all complemented by the unchanging green foliage year-round… Winter in Kunming attracts tourists from all over to personally experience this "out-of-season" romance and generosity, allowing those who live here to enjoy a never-ending spring.

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(Editors: Jennifer, Rachel)