As we take our warm-weather clothes out of storage, nature is also shedding its winter coat and donning its spring finery. Last month, we went bird watching in Beijing Olympic Forest Park when there was still frost on the ground. By now, the last traces of winter should be gone and you’ll be able to spot many new species flitting between budding trees.

Most of the plant species in Beijing only bloom between late March and May, so now is the best time to break out of the daily grind in search of nature. Besides the popular peach and cherry blossoms, you might find yourself surprised by the sheer diversity of Beijing’s flora. We spotlight eight plant species below, along with the best places to enjoy their beauty.

Pear blossoms (梨花)

The most beautiful flowers are often the most fleeting. Despite the Chinese affinity for pear blossoms, they seem to flower overnight, only to be washed away by the rain. Though better-known for the quality of its watermelons, Daxing District also has a Lihua Village with more than 30,000 pear trees. Make a weekend of it by staying at one of the many guesthouses there; there are also shops and restaurants.

Best times to visit: Mid-April.

Address: Lihua Village, Panggezhuang Town, Daxing District大兴区庞各庄镇梨花村

Cherry blossoms (樱花)

If you can’t make it to Japan for hanami, your second-best choice is Yuyuantan Park in Haidian District. You’ll find a sea of 2,000 pink, yellow, and white cherry trees in bloom, most of which are diplomatic gifts from Japan. Expect huge crowds on weekends.

Best times to visit: Late March to mid-April.

Address: Yuyuantan Park, 10 Xisanhuan Zhonglu, Haidian District 海淀区西三环中路10号玉渊潭公园

Crabapple blossoms (海棠花)

Crabapple trees bloom later than peach and cherry trees and the flowering season lasts longer. Every April, more than 3,000 crabapple trees bring crowds to Yuan Dynasty City Wall Relics Park, a normally quiet retreat that runs along a canalon the border of Haidian and Chaoyang.

Best times to visit: Early April to May

Address: 24 Anwai Xiaoguanjie, Chaoyang District 朝阳区安外小关街24号（近育慧南路）元大都城垣遗址公园

Source: thebeijinger.com

Peach blossoms (桃花)

Did you know that Beijing Botanical Garden has the largest peach garden in the city? Get up early and lose yourself among the thousands of peach trees before the masses descend on the place. Best times to visit: Early April to early May.

Address: Beijing Botanical Garden, Xiangshan Nanlu, Haidian District 海淀区香山南路北京植物园

Tulips (郁金香)

Located just west of Tian’anmen square, Zhongshan Park is the only place in Beijing where you’ll find an abundance of tulips. The bulbs were gifted to China from Holland in the 1970s.

Best times to visit: Mid-April to mid-May.

Address: Zhongshan Park, 4 Zhonghua Lu, Dongcheng District 东城区中华路4号（天安门西侧）中山公园