What is the story behind the second-generation ancient lotus blooming at Yuanmingyuan? See here for viewing locations
In 2017, at Yuanmingyuan, staff discovered 11 ancient lotus seeds one after another, and after cultivation they revived and bloomed last year. Andthis year the second-generation ancient lotus at Yuanmingyuan has bloomed! What is the story behind it? Where can you see it?
1. The second-generation ancient lotus at Yuanmingyuan has bloomed!
After the ancient lotus that had slept for a hundred years successfully revived and bloomed in 2019, this year, under the careful cultivation of Yuanmingyuan staff, the ancient lotus also successfully propagated and produced new life, and now the second-generation ancient lotus bred from the ancient lotus is growing well and has entered its full bloom period. At present, the century-old ancient lotus in the park has just bloomed, and the flowering period is expected to last until August.
2. What is the story behind the second-generation ancient lotus blooming at Yuanmingyuan?
1. Background recap
In 2017, the archaeological discovery at Yuanmingyuan found 11 ancient lotus seeds. Based on historical evidence, experts speculated that the seeds had been buried underground for at least a hundred years. In order to protect and cultivate these ancient lotus seeds, Yuanmingyuan sent them to the Institute of Botany of the Chinese Academy of Sciences for monitoring, research, and cultivation. Among them, 6 ancient lotus seeds successfully sprouted and formed lotus rhizomes, and revived and bloomed last year.
2. Current situation
In 2019, the cultivated lotus rhizomes returned to Yuanmingyuan and were planted in the variety ponds. That year, two of the four variety ponds bloomed, while the other two did not. This year the “second-generation lotus” is growing well and has recently entered its full bloom period.
3. Where can you see the ancient lotus at Yuanmingyuan?
If you want to see the ancient lotus at Yuanmingyuan, you can go to the Yuanmingyuan Lotus Base, where blooming lotus flowers can be seen everywhere. In addition to going to the Yuanmingyuan Lotus Base to see the ancient lotus, friends who like lotus flowers can also go to the following places:
1. Ritan Park
Beijing's Ritan Park is located in the old embassy district. After many years of changes, the lotus has gradually become a common landscaping method.
2. Longtan Lake Park
You can view lotus flowers at the Longyin Pavilion scenic area southwest of Ritan Park and the Liantang Huayu scenic area to the southeast.
3. Zizhuyuan Park
Zizhuyuan Park is located outside Xizhimen.
4. Summer Palace
In addition to Yuanmingyuan, the Summer Palace is also a great place to see lotus flowers. From Zhijingge Lake and Zaojiantang Lake, you can experience “lotus leaves stretching to the horizon in endless green, lotus flowers reflecting the sun in a distinctive red.”
5. Botanical Garden
As a large comprehensive botanical garden, the lotus flowers at Beijing Botanical Garden are also well worth admiring.
After reading the introduction above about the ancient lotus at Yuanmingyuan, do you find it amazing? The ancient lotus seeds have bloomed again after a hundred years of vicissitudes. While bringing us beauty, they also let us feel the perseverance and tenacity of life. I also believe that in the future the ancient lotus will bloom more and more, and more and more luxuriantly.