Where heroes are remembered, the hero's flower blooms. Known as the "Hero Flower," the kapok is Guangzhou's city flower, celebrated for its blazing red blossoms that fall proudly without fading—a symbol of courage and nobility. Every March, as spring arrives, these fiery flowers illuminate the landscape across Guangdong.
Follow GO Guangdong to explore the most iconic spots and witness the magnificent kapok trees in full bloom.
Photo by 广州中山纪念堂
Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall in Guangzhou
Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall in Guangzhou is an iconic landmark of the City, which Guangzhou residents and overseas Chinese built to commemorate Sun Yat-sen. Designed by the renowned Chinese architect Lv Yanzhi and completed in 1931, it is a masterpiece that seamlessly blends traditional Chinese architectural style with Western structural techniques.
Photo by 广州中山纪念堂
Beside the Hall stands an ancient kapok tree, over 350 years old, renowned as the "Kapok King". The tree grows as tall as 27 meters, with branches spanning 33 meters. Every March, its intense kapok blossoms flare against the hall's blue-glazed roof, making it a classic spot for kapok viewing in Guangzhou.
Address: No.299 Dongfeng Middle Road, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou City (广州市越秀区东风中路299号中山纪念堂)
Opening hours: 09:00-17:30
Recommended period: March
Photo by 广州市白云山风景名胜区
Yunluo Botanical Garden, Guangzhou
Located at the southern foot of Baiyun Mountain, Yunluo Botanical Garden showcases the richest collection of kapok species in Guangzhou. It maintains over 200 kapok plants spanning 12 different varieties. Plant lovers can spot the rare golden kapok trees here.
Photo by 广州白云发布
The garden offers a 1.5-kilometre kapok skywalk, the only treetop kapok trail in the city. It features eleven kapok-shaped landscape installations and an annual-ring marker that line the route, vividly illustrating the full life cycle of a kapok tree—from budding to blossoming and fruiting.
Kapok trees typically soar high, prompting visitors to look up at their flowers. From the highest platform, Baiyun Pavilion, visitors can enjoy close, multi-angle views of the blossoms at canopy level. Guests can also take in a sweeping 360-degree panorama of Guangzhou.
Photo by 广州市白云山风景名胜区
On the second floor of the platform, a themed leisure cafe welcomes visitors to taste specially crafted kapok pastries and fragrant kapok flower tea after the viewing.
Address: Southern foot of Baiyun Mountain, No. 801 Guangyuan Middle Road, Baiyun District, Guangzhou City (广州市广园中路801号白云山风景名胜区南麓云萝植物园)
Opening hours: 08:00-18:00
Recommended period: March
Photo by 广东省林业局
Lebei Ferry, Foshan
Located in the Shunde District of Foshan, Lebei Ferry is the largest rural ferry in Leliu Subdistrict. It crosses Ganzhu Creek, connecting Lebei Village with the urban area. With over 100 trips daily, the ferry plays a vital role in supporting the livelihood of this water town.
Photo by 南方+客户端, photographer Dai Jiaxin
At the ferry, a 200-year-old kapok tree stands tall by the water, with its crimson flowers and drooping branches mirrored in Ganzhu Creek. Visitors can take the nostalgic ferry for just 0.5 yuan one way to enjoy views of the kapok trees. The village also features rare golden kapok trees. In the morning mist, the flowers appear soft and elegant amid drifting fog. In the afternoon, enjoy a cozy time at the riverside coffee shop under the kapok trees and savor authentic Shunde food.
Photo by 南方+客户端, photographer Dai Jiaxin
Address: Lebei Ferry, Leliu Subdistrict, Shunde District, Foshan City (佛山市顺德区勒流街道勒北渡口)
Opening hours: All day
Recommended period: March
Reporter| Zhou Jiyin, Wang Shuhan
Editor| Yin Juewen
Poster| Yang Chenyue