As spring arrives and the weather gets warmer, plum trees are beginning to bloom. To coincide with the season, the 23rd Qingdao Plum Blossom Festival opened on March 16 at a plum garden in the city's Licang district.

The festival, which integrates activities covering flower appreciation, tourism, leisure, and cultural exchanges, will last until April 16.

An aerial view of the Qingdao Plum Garden in Licang district [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Guided by the Publicity Department of the Qingdao Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of China, the festival is hosted by the Qingdao Municipal Culture and Tourism Bureau and the Licang District People's Government.

A dazzling array of performances were staged at the festival's opening ceremony, including a show featuring Chinese-style hanfu clothing, martial arts, traditional dances and songs, as well as plum flower themed poetry appreciation. In addition, a market fair displaying various intangible cultural heritage items was held.

While enjoying plum blossoms, poetry, and art exhibitions, tourists can also enjoy delicious food and shopping at the festival. Camping facilities are also available for visitors to enjoy their leisure time in the flowery spring.

Visitors admire the blooming plum flowers in Licang district, Qingdao. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

To attract younger participants, an e-sports competition will be held during the festival. Local commercial areas and business streets will also stage a series of sales promotions and cultural performances.

In recent years, Licang district has been working to improve the quality of its tourism, as well as promote the high-quality integrated development of its culture and tourism sectors to contribute to Qingdao's efforts in building a livable and lovable city with an improved environment for living, working, and visiting.

A visitor poses for a photo with plum flowers at the Qingdao Plum Garden. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]