In mid-April, more than one hundred fringe trees are now in full bloom at the Zhuli Scenic Area of Kuliang, creating a breathtaking "sea of snow-like blossoms" shrouded in mist and spring clouds.

Over a century ago, foreign residents living in Kuliang are believed to have planted fringe tree saplings, never imagining they would grow into one of the most spectacular floral landscapes in both Kuliang and downtown Fuzhou today. According to horticultural experts, while three century-old fringe trees are known in central Fuzhou, the Zhuli area of Kuliang alone is home to more than 10 ancient specimens, with their descendants now recognized as nationally protected wild plants.

[Photo by Lan Zi, taken at the Zhuli Sunrise Viewing Platform]

Often referred to as the "snow of April", the fringe tree is considered one of the oldest surviving tree species on Earth. Recently, visitors entering the Zhuli parking area at an elevation of over 700 meters are greeted by several towering century-old trees in full bloom. Within the scenic area, more than 50 mature fringe trees are distributed across walking trails, picnic areas, and viewing platforms, forming a layered and picturesque floral landscape.

[Photo by Lan Zi, taken at the Zhuli parking area]

For decades, this natural wonder remained largely hidden. In Kuliang, several white-flowering plants bloom in April, and the similar appearance of white fringe trees and other local species led to the rare wild fringe trees being overlooked for many years.

About a decade ago, researchers and plant enthusiasts studying Kuliang began to take notice of the cliffside fringe trees in the Zhuli area. Through old photographs and historical maps, they traced clues near the ruins of a former Western-style building, where two tall, symmetrically planted fringe trees still stand today. Scholars believe these trees were introduced to Kuliang by foreign residents over a century ago and have since propagated naturally across multiple sites in the area.

Since 2017, the Kuliang Management Committee has carried out ecological surveys and habitat improvements in the Zhuli Scenic Area, allowing the once-hidden fringe trees to reemerge in full view. Together with newly planted specimens, the area has become the only large-scale fringe tree landscape in Fuzhou, offering a new seasonal attraction for both residents and visitors.

According to landscape experts, the fringe tree holds rich cultural symbolism. In Chinese tradition, it represents longevity and auspiciousness, while in Western culture it is associated with purity and freedom. From this perspective, the century-old fringe trees in both downtown Fuzhou and Kuliang may have originated in the same historical period. Today, they stand not only as ecological treasures of Fuzhou but also as living witnesses to centuries of cultural exchange and mutual inspiration between East and West in Kuliang.

[Photo by Lan Zi, taken at the Zhuli Sunrise Viewing Platform]