File photo: A lotus gets ready to bloom in the West Lake scenic area. [Photo/hangzhou.com.cn]

This summer's first blooming lotus were spotted in Hangzhou, East China's Zhejiang province, on June 3, local media reported.

It is a tradition among Hangzhou natives to seek out the first blooming lotus every year, as it signals the true start of summer.

File photo: Lotus bloom in the West Lake scenic area. [Photo/hangzhou.com.cn]

This year, the first lotus flowers were in the lotus pond of Quyuan Garden and next to Xiling Bridge in the West Lake scenic area.

In the scenic area, a small number of lotus are expected to bloom in the first 10 days of June, and from the last 10 days of June to the first 10 days of July, most lotus will be in full bloom.

From late July to early August will be the best time to admire lotus in the West Lake scenic area.