Flowers are not the only signs of life that come with the spring thaw. Warmer weather has brought blossoming tourism to China as well.

春回大地，不仅带来了怒放的花儿，也给中国的旅游业带来了一片欣欣向荣的景象。

Last week, the Beijing municipal government released a list of 192 spots in the city for citizens to enjoy the spring flowers, including peach blossoms, magnolias, apricot flowers, winter jasmine and a dozen others that bloom from March to May.

上周，北京市政府公布了该市的192个景点以方便市民赏花，包括桃花、玉兰、杏花、迎春花和另外十多种盛开在3月到5月的花。

The recommended spots cover an area of 22 million square meters, according to the city’s gardening and urban greening department. Nearly 100 cultural events such as folklore performances and botany exhibitions will be held during the period.

据该市园林绿化部门介绍，推荐的景点占地面积达2200万平方米。在此期间，还将举办近百种文化活动，如民俗表演和植物展等。

The tourism department of central China’s Hubei Province has also picked 20 travel routes for tourists looking to appreciate floral beauty in the countryside.

中国中部湖北省的旅游部门也精选了20条旅游线路，以方便游客欣赏乡村美丽的春色。

The routes range from convenient spots in the suburbs to astonishing views in remote mountains, said Zhou Zhengsu, deputy director of the provincial tourism department.

该省旅游局副局长周正苏表示，推荐的旅游路线，从市郊的便利景点到深山里的震撼美景，应有尽有。

High-speed "flower express" trains have started running in northwestern China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region to help tourists on their spring outings.

中国西北的新疆维吾尔族自治区高速“赏花快线”已经开始运行，以方便游客踏青。

Nearly 2,000 people took the express train to enjoy the apricot flowers in Turpan last weekend, while others traveled to the Xinjiang city by inter-city bus or car.

上周末，约有近2000人乘坐特快列车到吐鲁番赏杏花。也有一些人乘坐城际巴士或汽车去新疆旅游。

"We have mobilized departments to serve incoming tourists and make sure they have a pleasant stay in Turpan," said Chen Shuguo, head of the local tourism department.

当地旅游部门的主管陈树国说，“我们动员各部门为游客服务，确保他们在吐鲁番度假愉快。”

A travel agency in the eastern city of Wuxi told Xinhua that high-speed trains to scenic spots famous for spring flowers have become a hit in recent weeks. Tour packages offer journeys spanning from three to five days at prices ranging from 1,000 to 2,000 yuan (150 - 300 U.S. dollars).

中国东部无锡市的一家旅行社告诉新华社，最近几周，乘坐高铁到著名的赏花景点游玩已掀起了一股热潮。旅游团三到五天的旅游路线报价从1000元到2000元不等（约150 - 300美元）。

The upcoming Tomb-sweeping Day holiday, which will be observed from April 2 to 4 this year, will be prime time for plant-loving tourists to catch rapeseed flowers in bloom, said Zhang Liang, manager of the travel agency.

该旅行社的经理张亮说，今年的4月2日到4日将是清明节假期，这个小长假正是喜欢亲近绿色的人们观赏油菜花的最佳时期。

Farmers in Wuyuan, a county in east China’s Jiangxi famed for its sea of rapeseed flowers growing in terraced fields, will welcome tourists into guest houses and restaurants, which have become their main source of income.

中国东部江西省婺源县，以梯田里上生长的大片油菜花海而闻名。大量的游客来到这里，招待所和餐厅生意兴隆，成为农民的主要收入来源。

In neighboring Hunan Province, millions have been invested in planting rapeseed flowers at a local scenic spot in Zhangjiajie City. Foreign and domestic tourists, photographers and couples shooting wedding photos have swarmed the spot this month.

在相邻的湖南省，数百万人涌入张家界的一个油菜花风景区。国内外游客、摄影师、拍摄婚纱照新人等在这个月里挤爆了这里。

According to the provincial government, roughly 400,000 tourists made "flower trips" in the first quarter of the year, generating revenue of more than 100 million yuan.

据省政府称，今年第一季度，粗略估计约有40万游客进行了“赏花之旅”，收入超过1亿元。

A 53-hectare cherry blossom park will open in southwest China’s Meishan City in Sichuan Province. The park will feature six km of river bank planted with cherry trees. Tens of thousands of flowering cherry trees of more than 20 varieties will be planted in the park over the next two years.

中国西南部四川省眉山市将开放一个53公顷的樱花公园。在六公里的河岸两边种上樱花树将成为公园特色。未来两年内，约20多个品种的成千上万棵樱花树将会种植在该公园。

Peonies have a rich history and tradition in China. A month-long festival celebrating the flower will be held starting April 5 in central China’s Luoyang, a city that has been growing peonies for more than 1,500 years.

牡丹在我国有着悠久的历史和传统。4月5日起，中国中部的洛阳将举办为期一个月的牡丹花节。洛阳市种植牡丹已有1500多年的历史。

"The iconic blossom, unlike the tulip in the Netherlands or lavender in Provence, is still little known to foreign visitors," said the organizer.

组织方说，“不像荷兰的郁金香和普罗旺斯薰衣草，牡丹这种标志性的名花，对外国游客来说却鲜为人知。”

"China’s flower tourism has huge potential, but it has to look beyond immediate gains and give due attention to the environment. We have to learn to combine our various flowers with distinctive cultural elements," said Li Tianshu, director of Hua Yuan Travel Company.

华原旅游公司经理李天书说，“我国的花卉旅游具有巨大的市场潜力，不过眼光应当更长远一些，要对环境给予应有的重视。我们要尝试把各种花卉与独特的文化元素结合起来。”

Source: news.iyuba.com