Mesmerized by the Bellflower Peach Blooms

Come with us to explore the stunning bell cherry blossom season in Mau Son (Lang Son), where these beautiful flowers burst into vibrant bloom in early spring. We'll uncover what makes the bell cherry blossoms of the Lang Son region truly unique, and point you towards the most ideal check-in locations for those perfect travel photos.
Admire the Unique Bell Cherry Blossoms on Mau Son Peak – A Precious Spring Flower of Xu Lang
Visitors to Lang Son in the early days of the new spring will be captivated by the vibrant beauty of the bell cherry blossoms. Against the clear blue spring sky, the bell cherry blossoms bloom in clusters, creating an enchanting scene that mesmerizes many.

Wild bell cherry blossoms are commonly found in the Mau Son mountain region, Lang Son.
To learn more about the bell cherry blossoms, we met with researcher Mr. Hoang Van Pao, Chairman of the Provincial Cultural Heritage Association. Welcoming us with a warm cup of tea in early spring, he shared: 'For generations, Xu Lang has been known as the land of peach blossoms, home to many beautiful and precious varieties such as white peach (đào bạch), pink peach (đào bích), light pink peach (đào phai), and Thất Thốn peach (đào thất thốn)... Notably, the bell cherry blossom is a rare variety found only in the high mountains of Mau Son. Flourishing and displaying their beauty in this majestic highland region, the tiên peach (đào tiên) and bell cherry blossoms symbolize the land and people of Xu Lang: resilient, elegant, and harmoniously blending earth and sky in this borderland.'
The bell cherry blossom variety from Xu Lang belongs to the 'bell-flowered cherry' family, also known as Taiwanese cherry. This cherry variety is widely distributed from Southern Japan, Taiwan Island, and Southern China down to Northern Laos and Northern Vietnam. In Lang Son, this flower grows abundantly in the Mau Son mountain area. The Xu Lang bell cherry blossom has a unique characteristic that distinguishes it from the 'rhododendron' family bell cherry blossoms found in Ba Na (Da Nang) and Yen Tu (Quang Ninh). While all these flowers grow in drooping clusters resembling bells, the petals of the 'rhododendron' family bell cherry blossoms are shaped like small bells, thin as glass, and light pink. In contrast, the Lang Son bell cherry blossoms, belonging to the 'bell-flowered cherry' family, have thicker, clearly separated petals with a deeper pink color, typically five petals per flower, and their roots firmly anchor deep within rock crevices.
With incredible vitality, the Lang Son bell cherry blossoms can sprout and flourish even when temperatures in the high Mau Son mountains drop below -3 degrees Celsius. On Mau Son mountain, at an altitude of over 1,500m, these blossoms compete to display their beauty like bells heralding the arrival of spring, swaying delicately in the mist and mountain winds, exuding a pure elegance. Bell cherry blossoms bloom profusely in spring, typically from January to March of the lunar calendar, when the weather is spring-like with lingering mist and clouds. However, in a leap year, the bell cherry blossoms bloom closer to Tet (Lunar New Year). It can be said that bell cherry blossoms bloom relatively late compared to other peach varieties, but perhaps it is precisely this late blooming that gives them a unique, indescribable beauty.
In Lang Son, bell cherry blossoms are primarily found in the areas of Cong Son and Mau Son communes in Cao Loc district, and some areas of Bac Xa commune in Dinh Lap district. Mr. Trieu Sang Suan, an elder from Cong Son commune, Cao Loc district, shared: 'I don't know when this peach variety first appeared in the Mau Son mountains. All I know is that since I was a child, I've seen bell cherry blossoms growing in the forest. Many ancient peach trees, with their lush branches and leaves, would burst into vibrant bloom across the entire hilly region every season. Later, with the development of the market economy, many people came here to harvest wild peaches, including Mau Son bell cherry blossoms, so this variety is not as abundant as it once was.'
Due to the unique charm of this peach variety, during Tet, not only people in Lang Son but also residents from other provinces desire to own a branch of bell cherry blossoms for display. Because of its rarity, a single branch of bell cherry blossoms can sell for 3 to 4 times the price of pink peach (đào bích) or light pink peach (đào phai). This has led to some individuals freely harvesting this precious wild peach variety.
In response to this situation, local authorities and sectors have implemented numerous solutions to conserve this precious bell cherry blossom variety. Specifically, in 2018, the Institute for Regional Research and Development began researching and developing bell cherry blossoms. Since its inception, the research team has conducted experiments with 1,500 plants, including: propagating bell cherry blossoms using asexual reproduction techniques such as grafting sections and branches; and establishing a propagation model with 3,500 plants grown from seeds. After five years of cultivating bell cherry blossom seedlings, the project's nursery now successfully propagates approximately 3,000 – 4,000 young bell cherry blossom plants annually. These bell cherry blossom seedlings are then planted and propagated in the Mau Son mountain region, Cao Loc and Loc Binh districts, and several communes in Dinh Lap district, significantly contributing to the conservation of this valuable peach variety.

Lang Son Bell Cherry Blossoms.
Alongside functional agencies, the Party committees and local authorities in areas with this rare peach variety have also implemented many practical solutions. Mr. Trieu Tien Truong, Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of the People's Committee of Cong Son commune, Cao Loc district, stated: 'In recent years, the commune's Party committee and authorities have collaborated with specialized agencies to conserve ancient peach varieties in the area, including the bell cherry blossom. Accordingly, our locality has received technology transfer, technical training, and fertilizer support for residents from functional units. Furthermore, to prevent indiscriminate harvesting of peaches, we have actively raised awareness among local residents about protecting and harvesting peach blossoms using proper techniques, as well as replicating models for planting ancient and bell cherry blossoms in the area.'
Thanks to the attention from local Party committees and authorities, ancient peach gardens in the area are now being protected and gradually integrated into tourism. Specifically, there are currently 6 families in the commune offering experiential tourism services and photography opportunities at these ancient peach gardens.
The allure of the bell cherry blossoms in the Mau Son mountain region captivates many distant visitors, who seek every opportunity to come here and admire them to their heart's content. Mr. Nguyen Khac Minh, a tourist from Hanoi, shared: 'Every early spring, I return to the Mau Son mountains to 'hunt' for beautiful photos of peach blossoms, especially the moment when the bell cherry blossoms are in full bloom.'
Mr. Phan Van Hoa, Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, stated: 'To enhance the value of peach blossoms and create a highlight for spring welcoming activities that attract tourists, in recent years, in addition to encouraging, motivating, and honoring peach growers, we have made significant efforts to promote the image of Lang Son peach blossoms and develop tourism products to draw visitors to the locality through peach blossom festivals.'
Accordingly, the image of bell cherry blossoms is actively promoted through various activities at the annual peach blossom festivals, such as: showcasing the beauty of bell cherry blossoms through cultural and artistic performances; organizing tours to visit natural peach gardens in the Mau Son mountain region; and displaying bell cherry blossoms at the peach blossom festival. Additionally, the Provincial Tourism Promotion Center has produced videos; printed and distributed thousands of promotional publications about tourism, integrating the promotion of the beauty of Xu Lang peach blossoms, including the bell cherry blossoms.
As a new year arrives, the bell cherry blossoms serve as a signal of a fulfilling and abundant new spring. The conservation and development of these bell cherry blossom trees not only gradually create a positive impression on distant visitors with their unique and striking beauty but also significantly contribute to expanding the 'Xu Lang peach blossom' brand far and wide.
Lang Son 5888 view
Update day : 07/02/2024
Source : baolangson.vn Affiliate links
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