The strong wave of cold air not only brought along the first snow in 2023, but also brought forth blooming of plum blossoms. On January 16, pearl-like plum blossom buds burst forth from the plum branches in the Plum Garden of Hangzhou. 

Plum blossom has been compared to the noble character of a gentleman in China. A large number of scholars have written poems to sing high praise of plum blossoms since the ancient times. Plum blossom implies the high morality of being indifferent to fame and gain and unyielding to power. Odes to plum blossom reflect an elegant and serene way of life advocated by literati. 

Tourists stop to admire the annually-flowering plum blossoms.