Heilongtan Park in Kunming, the "spring city" of Yunnan province, will hold the 13th Azalea Festival from March 20 to May 10.

The azalea park, which was built along the side of Longquan Mountain, has more than 20 species that blossom there. In the 16.67 hectares land, pink, red, yellow, white and amaranth azaleas form a colorful sea of flowers that roll towards the mountain.

Visitors enjoy themselves among the azalea plants in Kunming’s Heilongtan Park on March 16. [Photo/Kunming.cn]

The park is also littered by tall, old trees, making the valley more enchanting, and winding paths through the valley allow visitors to immerse themselves in the flowers.

Nie Yaping, the park's vice director explained that due to Kunming being warmer this year, the azaleas have come into bloom half a month earlier than usual.

"Since oriental cherry, rape flower and peach flowers have begun to wither away, it is the show time for azaleas," said Nie. He added that the following three weeks will be the best time to appreciate azalea flowers.

During the festival, the park will also arrange photographic and fishing contests, an automobile exhibition and blind dating.

Azaleas bloom in Heilongtan Park in Kunming on March 16. [Photo/Kunming.cn]

Edited by Jacob Hooson