The plum trees are blossoming.

[InKunming--Kunming] A saying in China indicates that the third nine-day period after the winter solstice are the coldest days. Indeed, Kunming experiences a freezing cold recently. Although the weather is chill, there is a scene of jollification in Heilongtan park. A bonsai exhibition themed on "’three durable plants of winter’ celebrate Chinese New Year" (three durable plants of winter is a Chinese traditional allegory representing pine, bamboo and plum blossom) will be held from 12th to 21st January. Meanwhile, this exhibition is also a new highlight of the 22nd Kunming plum blossom festival.

View of bonsai garden

This exhibition is located at bonsai garden of Heilongtan Park, with more than 360 kinds of bonsai, including the works from both national and Kunming bonsai making master Xuanmin Wang, Qunjie Wei, Wangming Xu and so on. Based on the theme of “three durable plants celebrate new year”, the works mostly made by pine, bamboo and plum blossom, and the layout takes advantage of the landscape of bonsai garden. Moreover, combining with the garden view windows and the white wall, and properly positioning background plate, greatly improved the viewing experience of the bonsai exhibition.

Chinese literati in the past dynasties left a large number of immortal poems, books and paintings themed on pine, bamboo and plum blossom, which entrusted their love and pursuit of life. Artists in this exhibition also use these three plants as material, empowering the works more poetic whether it is a combination or a single variety of plant.

The gold award “Han Mei Nao Chun” of the 14th Winter Sweet Exposition.

In front of the background wall near the entrance of bonsai garden, a huge bonsai is placed in the middle, being topped with pine, bamboo, plum blossom and green fern. This majestic and exquisite work named “Han Mei Nao Chun” (means winter sweet blossom in spring) won the gold award at the 14th National Winter Sweet Exposition in 2014. The whole work weighs 2.8 tons, including pine, bamboo and plum blossom, which works in concert under the theme of “three durable plants”.

Although the temperature in Kunming was low, the cold weather did not have much negative impact on people’s passion. Tall pines, green bamboo and fragrant plum blossom standing in freezing cold show the spirit of tenacity. When people enjoy the beautiful scenery, they also have a profound understanding of the meaning of the traditional Chinese allegory “three durable plants”. A visitor Fang said, “I have been very fond of plum blossom since I was a child, and I am very happy to see so many beautiful plum blossoms here today. I am going to immerse in this fantastic exhibition and enjoy the attractive bonsai.”

People take photos in front of bonsai works.

The bonsai exhibition is co-sponsored by Heilongtan park and Yunnan Bonsai Clubs, and is also one of the main activities of the 22nd Kunming plum blossome festival. During the exhibition continuing until 21st January, bonsai artists will be invited to perform bonsai creation and popularize bonsai production techniques. What’s more, there is a bonsai sale where citizens can buy their preferring bonsai works.

Click here to view Chinese report.

(Editors: Christine, Rachel)