Post by blackcloud on May 6, 2015 4:15:43 GMT -5
The lawn was trimmed short. Clusters of trees provided shade for those seeking it and wide-open areas were bathed in sunlight. Small groups of people China tour deals sat picnicking on blankets smoothed out on the grass. Here and there camping tents were set up, one incongruously assembled in the middle of a walking path.
Although several families were out enjoying the sun, while we were there the lawn was never crowded. The loudest noises came from people playing instruments in small groups. Near the southernmost end of the knoll we approached a woman putting on a virtuoso performance on her zhongruan — a four-stringed lute. She kindly allowed us to take her picture, the string of mellow notes emanating from her zhongruan never wavering.
The grass ends at a gorgeously kempt pond China travels teaming with enormous carp. At one end of the water sits a series of pavilions overgrown with exploding purple bougainvillea flowers. The far end of the pond narrowed and meandered through huge boulders and what appeared to be a garden.
No bridge led to this place but a sign next to a locked gate identified the area as the Xihua Orchid Garden . When we where there this section of the park was unfortunately closed to China Photography Tours visitors.
We reached the southern end of the park and began the slow circuit back to where we originally entered. We passed the newly-painted main gate where the path opens onto Chuanfang Lu. Further on we stopped to stare up at the largest banana tree we have ever seen.
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