As summer arrives, lotus flowers have begun flourishing at Daming Lake Scenic Area. The 37th Jinan Lotus Art Festival has come as expected on July 1 and is set to run until Aug 20, offering visitors a refreshing traveling experience to spend the summer days.

Daming Lake has a long history of planting lotus flowers. Historical data show that lotus flowers were widely grown on the lake as early as Wei and Jin dynasties (220-420). In the Tang Dynasty (618-907), Daming Lake was called Lianzi (lotus seeds) Lake due to the large amounts of lotus flowers.

Covering about 6.67 hectares on Daming Lake, over 20 locations of lotus flowers, such as the red lotus and the double petal lotus, are blooming.

Started in 1987, the Jinan Lotus Art Festival has been held for 36 editions. This year's event has set up four potted landscapes with about 5,800 pots of lotus flowers and aquatic plants.

A large flower arrangement, which features auspicious figures and elements, including lotus and rose flowers, butterflies, clouds, and red lanterns, has been installed at the East Gate Square of Daming Lake, presenting a harmonious and beautiful scene to visitors.

A lotus with two buds is about to bloom in the west side of Daming Lake in Jinan. [Photo/Dazhong News]