In the past few years, Jiaochangzhong Road has become the hottest place in Kunming to take photos. Every year, from April to mid-May, the street is filled with beautiful Jacaranda flowers.
More than 250 Jacarandas are planted on both sides of the two-kilometre-long Jiaochangzhong Road. The flowers flood the entire street with a striking blue-purple colour.
You can stroll slowly under the Jacaranda trees, taking in what feels like a dream-like landscape, filled with blue and a sea of flowers. When the flower petal rain falls, it becomes even more romantic.
In 1984, the Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, first introduced Jacaranda to Kunming from Algeria at the same time as phoenix wood.
Both are tall and beautiful when they bloom, especially suitable for using as road landscape trees. Jacaranda grows well in Kunming, generally blooming from April to June, with a relatively short flowering period of around one month.
The Jacaranda trees are in full bloom every year, always attracting tourists from all over China to Kunming.
Jiaochangzhong Road, an important secondary artery connecting Xuefu Road and Erhuan North Road, has become more congested. In March this year, it was subject to upgrade and reconstruction work.
The pavements, the walls on both sides of the road and the landscapes of ‘theme squares’ have been specially set up with Jacaranda-themed patterns, creating an atmosphere for the entire block.
Four new theme parks and theme squares were added at the intersection of Erhuan North Road, Jiaochang North Road, Jiaochang West Road and Xuefu Road to further highlight the blue Jacaranda theme. This transformation has also created some safe areas suitable for taking photos.
The unique landscape design has made the Jacaranda theme park a good place for tourists and citizens to enjoy the flowers, to relax and even to taste some Jacaranda-themed ice-cream.
In addition to the Jiaochangzhong Road in Kunming, you can also find many other places filled with the beautiful blue and purple flowers.
Panlong Riverside
The Jacarandas in Panlong Riverside were planted ahead of the 1999 Kunming World Horticultural Expo. So far, these trees have a breast diameter of about 15 cm and a height of about eight metres. Walk along the two km long trail and you will see the blue-purple flowers and trees dotted with green plants are particularly eye-catching, decorating the scenery along the Panlong Riverside.
Taking the "Yunjin 1" is also one of the best ways to view the Jacaranda flowers. The whole riverbank is purple and blue, which blends in with the scenery of the water and, with the green willow, the whole landscape is full of vitality.
Chuncheng Road
Chuncheng Road is a top location for those who want to snap some great photos of the Jacaranda. The flowers can be seen in full bloom at the entrance of the Tailong Hongrui Hotel. A small alley outside the property has the convenience of close contact with the Jacaranda. Visitors are asked to respect the flowers as they enjoy them.
Hongjin Road
There are also many Jacaranda trees planted in Hongjin Road, not only the whole street but the residential area, Yueyatang Park and campus of Yunnan University of Finance and Economics. The area is flooded with a sea of blue.
Beijing Road
The Jacaranda you will find in Beijing Road were planted to decorate the central green belt. Here, you will uncover a different scene of beauty.
Dianchi Road
There are many Jacarandas planted from Guangfu Road to Dianchi Road. They have also been planted for several years, forming a particular landscape. The flowers here have a memorable appearance, like patches of "blue mist.”
Denghua Street
Denghua Street is located at the west foot of Wuhua Hill. It starts from Huashan West Road to the north of Huanggong East Street in the west. It is 223 metres long, runs in an east-west direction, high in the east and low in the west. Near Denghua Street, the last bluestone road in Kunming remains. There are dozens of Jacarandas planted along the roadside. In early summer, your eyes will be full of blue and purple mist.