DAILY | HONG KONG EDITION Tuesday, March 16, 2021 | 17 LIFE

A budding attraction As the drab gray of winter is on the wane, prepares to dazzle visitors and residents alike with the floral finery of springtime, Yang Feiyue reports.

eijing has four distinct seasons. to see it is usually from the last week of something out of a fairy tale, especially soms are dotted among the green willow 1950s, and some of the old trees have devel­ Spring is time for the capital city March to mid­April. when the breeze comes in and casts petals branches and pink plum blossoms, and the oped strong branches and lush blossoms. to dress in blossoms. It might be Yulan magnolias usually appear first on the water’s surface. distant green hills are reflected in the lake. The Badaling Section of the Great Wall is common to enjoy the fragrance of along Chang’an Avenue, and locals consid­ Northeast Beijing’s Pinggu district is Most Chinese travelers cite Wuhan Uni­ flanked by many hectares of apricot trees. Bflowers elsewhere, but in Beijing, they can er it a sign of the real advent of spring. The known for its peach orchards that cover 147 versity as a superb spot for the cherry­blos­ Hiking the Great Wall while the apricot blos­ be appreciated alongside the ancient blossoms look best on the western side of square kilometers. In April and May, it’s like som season, but few have heard of soms are in full bloom is highly recommend­ buildings nestled among them. the avenue. They also bring out the solemn walking into a sea of peach blossoms. Visi­ Gengdan Institute at Beijing University of ed. The wall looks like a huge dragon The Beijing Municipal Bureau of Culture beauty of the red wall, presenting an artis­ tors to the area can hike up the mountain Technology in Shunyi district, which offers meandering among a sea of blossoms. and Tourism has rolled out a dozen themed tic reflection of the ancient capital. Visitors full of peach blossoms or drive through a even more varieties of cherry blossoms spring tours for visitors to enjoy. Here is a should also look out for the spread of pur­ special viewing corridor to enjoy the pleas­ than Wuhan University or Yuyuantan. Pear blossoms quick guide of the best routes. ple magnolias in the northwestern corner ure of whooshing through a sea of blossoms. The institute has about 500 cherry trees Pear blossoms are considered pure and of the thoroughfare, near the National Although peach blossoms are not as abun­ across the campus. flawless. They have been praised by people Winter jasmine Center for the Performing Arts. dant in , they provide a striking for thousands of years as symbol of pure These golden­yellow flowers can be The has a 250­year histo­ image set against the backdrop of the 300­ Lilacs love and commitment. April and May at the widely seen in Beijing in March. Their ry of planting Yulan magnolias, but all but year­old white tower on Qionghua Island in Lilacs appeal to people, not just for the Palace Museum is the best time and place beauty is amplified by the red walls and two plants were destroyed during the inva­ the middle of the park. The scene not only color of their blossoms but also their ele­ to see pear blossoms, which are not only green tiles of historical buildings. sion by Anglo­French allied forces in 1860, highlights the vitality of spring but also the gant, noble appearance and rich aroma. It white as snow but also sweetly fragrant. At the northern gate of Beihai Park, win­ meaning that the remaining pair have wit­ historical charm of Beijing. is at its most prominent in April and May. The Palace of Celestial Favor is famous not ter jasmine provides a picturesque scene nessed the vicissitudes of Beijing’s turbu­ Fayuan Temple, which was built in AD only for the pear flowers nestled against against the backdrop of water, hills and lent history. Every time they blossom, the Cherry blossoms 645, has been known for its lilac blossoms the red bricks and green tiles but also for pedestrian activity and has been a perenni­ Longevity Hall is filled with fragrance. Many cherish the blossoms for their since the . The flowers set off the beautiful love story between Emperor al favorite of photographers. The blossoms The Beijing International Sculpture short yet splendid flowering phase, which the red walls, green tiles, carved beams and Shunzhi of the (1644­1911) are accentuated by the nearby lake stones Park is home to more than 180 excellent takes place in late March and April. painted buildings of the ancient temple. and his beloved concubine, Dong E. of various shapes and sizes. sculptures, reliefs and murals from more is the most popular Historical figures, such as Lin Zexu, Ji Xiao­ A visit to Zhihua Temple can be like In , winter jasmine than 40 countries and regions. There are, place locals go to see the cherry blossoms. lan and Gong Zizhen, left their footprints traveling back in time, where ancient pear breathes life into the solemn ambience of however, more magnolias than sculp­ Its cherry garden covers 25 hectares, with and created poems there, and spring is con­ trees, white pear blossoms and elegant the royal site, where sacrificial ceremonies tures. The park’s 5­hectare magnolia gar­ more than 2,000 cherry trees. It is one of sidered the most beautiful season to visit music from the Ming Dynasty court waft were once held during the Ming (1368­ den boasts more than 5,000 varieties of the largest and best­known cherry gardens Fayuan Temple. in the breeze. The temple is hidden in 1644) and Qing (1644­1911) dynasties. the flower and is one of the largest gar­ in China. In 1972, diplomatic relations Lumicang hutong (alley) in Dongcheng The Ming Dynasty Wall Relics Park dens of its kind in the capital. between China and Japan were normal­ Apricot blossoms district and is one of the best­preserved doesn’t have the most winter jasmine but ized, and about 1,000 Prunus sargentii Apricot blossoms usually emerge before examples from the Ming Dynasty. claims to offer the most delicate samples, Peach blossoms were brought from Japan as gifts. Yuyuan­ peach blooms. They change color over There are many other blossoms that can set against the ancient gray city wall. The is one of tan received 180, which all took root and time, and are bright red while budding be found in the capital city, including the best places to appreciate the beauty of thrived. The park offers a distinctive scene before turning white until they fall. The begonias, tulips, peonies and Chinese par­ Yulan magnolias peach blossoms. It offers more than 70 with its sunken terrain and slopes. best time to view them is from mid­March asols. They all help put a spring in the step Its flowering phase is very short, as if varieties, all of which create a polychro­ Beijing Botanical Garden doesn’t have as to early April. of the city’s residents after winter. showing an indomitable courage and matic picture. many cherry blossoms as Yuyuantan, but it There is a forest of 150 apricot trees in pride. Many love the plant for the flowers To the west of the Cao Xueqin Memorial hosts rich varieties of spring flora that allow the northwestern part of the Temple of Contact the writer at that blossom before leafing. The best time Hall, the blossoms and the river look like the cherry blossoms stand out. Cherry blos­ Heaven. They were planted in the late [email protected]

TOWN PLANNING ORDINANCE (Chapter 131) APPLICATION FOR PLANNING PERMISSION SUBMISSION OF FURTHER INFORMATION Pursuant to section 16(2D)(b) of the Town Planning Ordinance (the Ordinance), the Town Planning Board (the Board) has published newspaper notice(s) of the planning application(s) made under section 16(1) of the Ordinance as set out in the Schedule below. Pursuant to section 16(2K) of the Ordinance, the Board has accepted further information from the applicant(s) to supplement the information included in the application(s). The further information is now available for public inspection during normal office hours at the following locations - (i) the Planning Enquiry Counter, 17th Floor, North Point Government Offices, 333 Java Road, North Point, Hong Kong; and (ii) the Planning Enquiry Counter, 14th Floor, Sha Tin Government Offices, 1 Sheung Wo Che Road, Sha Tin, New Territories. In accordance with sections 16(2K)(c) and 16(2F) of the Ordinance, any person may make comment to the Board in respect of the further information. The comment should state the application number to which the comment relates and should be made to the Secretary of the Board by hand, post (15th Floor, North Point Government Offices, 333 Java Road, North Point, Hong Kong), fax (2877 0245 or 2522 8426) or e-mail ([email protected]), or through the Board’s website (http://www.info.gov.hk/ tpb/) not later than the date specified in the Schedule. Any person who intends to make comment is advised to read the “Town Planning Board Guidelines on Publication of Applications for Amendment of Plan, Planning Permission and Review and Submission of Comments on Various Applications under the Town Planning Ordinance” (the Guidelines) for details. The Guidelines are available at the above locations, the Secretariat of the Board (15th Floor, North Point Government Offices, 333 Java Road, North Point, Hong Kong) as well as the Board’s website (http://www.info.gov.hk/tpb/). In accordance with sections 16(2K)(c) and 16(2I) of the Ordinance, any comment made to the Board will be available for public inspection during normal office hours at locations (i) and (ii) above until the Board has considered the application in question under section 16(3). The gists of the applications (including location plans) can be viewed at the above locations, the Secretariat of the Board and the Board’s website. The tentative date of the Board to consider the application has been uploaded to the Board’s website (http://www.info.gov.hk/tpb/). The meeting for considering planning applications, except the deliberation parts, will be open to the public. For observation of the meeting, reservation of seat can be made with the Secretariat of the Board by telephone (2231 5061), fax (2877 0245 or 2522 8426) or e-mail ([email protected]) at least one day before the meeting. Seats will be allocated on a first- come-first-served basis. The paper for consideration of the Board in relation to the application will be available for public inspection after issue to the Board Members at the Planning Enquiry Counters of the Planning Department (Hotline: 2231 5000), uploaded to the Board’s website before the meeting and at the Public Viewing Room on the day of meeting. After the Board has considered the application, enquiry about the decision may be made at tel. no. 2231 4810 or 2231 4835 or the gist of the decision can be viewed at the Board’s website after the meeting. Statement on Personal Data The personal data submitted to the Board in any comment will be used by the Secretary of the Board and Government departments for the following purposes: (a) the processing of the application which includes making available the name of the person making the comment (hereafter known as “commenter”) for public inspection when making available the comment for public inspection; and (b) facilitating communication between the “commenter” and the Secretary of the Board/Government departments in accordance with the provisions of the Ordinance and the relevant Town Planning Board Guidelines. Schedule Deadline for Making Applied Use/ Further Application No. Location Comment on the Development Information Further Information A/SK-HC/316 Various Lots in D.D. 210 and Adjoining Government Proposed Houses with Minor Relaxation of The applicant submitted a revised master layout plan, layout plan (LG/F), landscape drawings, 23 March 2021 Land, Ho Chung, Sai Kung Building Height Restriction environmental assessment, sewerage and drainage impact assessment, revised figures for traffic impact assessment, and responses to departmental comments. A/SK-TMT/69 Lots 65, 96 and 98 RP in D.D. 252 and Adjoining Proposed House and Filling and Excavation The applicant provided further information which include responses to departmental and public comments, 23 March 2021 Government Land, Tai Mong Tsai, Sai Kung, New of Land and provision of further planning justifications, revised Layout Plans and Floor Plans, revised Visual Territories Impact Assessment, revised Tree and Landscape Proposal Report, revised Drainage and Sewerage Assessments Reports and revised Air Quality and Traffic Noise Assessment Reports. A/KC/473 2-10 Tai Yuen Street, Kwai Chung, New Territories Proposed Minor Relaxation of Plot Ratio The applicant submitted further information which includes responses to departmental and public 30 March 2021 Restriction comments, and the submission of a revised / consolidated Traffic Impact Assessment. A/ST/980 No. 221 Pai Tau Village, Sha Tin Columbarium Responses to departmental and public comments, and enclosing a revised traffic impact assessment. 7 April 2021 A/YL-NSW/275 Various Lots in D.D. 103 and D.D. 115, Nam Sang Proposed Comprehensive Residential The applicant submitted further information in responses to departmental comments and revised 7 April 2021 Wai, Yuen Long Development environmental assessment.

16 March 2021 Town Planning Board