Tulip Time in Harbin

It's tulip time again at Harbin's Botanical Gardens! By way of update, the summer admission cost for the Botanical Garden's has risen to ¥20 for adults and ¥10 for children and students.

It's so sad how trampled the flowers get from everyone taking their selfies and group photos. All too often there is absolutely zero respect for rules, fences, or just plain common sense here. (A quick google of news stories about Chinese tourists and travelers abroad will highlight some of the problems this can cause.)

Children's Day at the Botanical Garden

Some friends and I made the mistake of going to the Botanical Garden on Children's Day (1 June), a public holiday that naturally left the place bursting at the seems with people. I'm finally starting to realize that on any given day I can expect there to be lots of people out and about, and on holidays I can expect it to be absolutely crazy!

The Garden's small lakes were filled with paddle boats - such fun!

An unexpected surprise further back in the Botanical Garden! Thank God, it wasn't real...

As someone of Dutch heritage, checking out the Garden's tulips was a must!

Heilongjiang Forest Botanical Garden

A view of Harbin's Heilongjiang Forest Botanical Garden, the largest urban botanical garden in China. It makes for a lovely break from the hustle and bustle of the city and has a number of lovely areas where you can sit and relax, have a picnic, et cetera. There are vendors scattered throughout with drinks and snacks, and the lake (pictured above) has paddle boats you can rent and ride. Admission is ¥15 during the summer and ¥8 during the winter. (According to the entrance sign anyways - I've also read that the Garden is closed during the winter.)