KUNMING _ Local people say summer is not the best time to visit the Kunming Botanic Garden because most of the blooming flowers are already past their prime.
But to an urbanite like me who is usually surrounded by a concrete forest of highrises all year, the various greens of the luxuriant plants are more than enough to make my eyes happy.
I went for a visit one early morning, when the dewdrops still gleamed on the leaves under the morning sunlight.
Covering an area of 44 hectares in a suburb of the city, the garden houses 4,000 species of plants in 10 themed sub-gardens.
The garden thrives under a perennial, ideal and mild climate.
Pine trees, birches and firs of various species in the Arboretum grow exceptionally green and tall. Some are so tall that they rise up into the sky like cathedral pillars. 
Photo on the left: People stroll along Maple Road in the Kunming Botanic Garden.

The green colour was so striking that when I closed my eyes, the cedars, firs and grasses remained imprinted inside.
The clouds threw their shadows on the floppy lawn, making it a perfect venue for relaxation or a secluded picnic.
A closer look at the various shaped needles of the pine trees aroused my curiosity as I headed towards the mysterious plant kingdom.
Imagination, at this time of the season, can be as useful as the eyes.
As the rich dark foliage dominates the Azalea Garden and Camellia Garden, it is easy to sense the glory of the gardens when the blooming flowers infuse the garden with a stunning blaze of colours in the spring.
The Green House compound holds several small halls immersed with different plant families.
Some say it is all or nothing in regard to cacti: People either hate them or love them.
Before I ventured into the Succulent House, where multitudes of cacti resided, my attitude was that cacti were unattractive, often repulsive, creatures. But a few moments wandering around the Succulent House change my mind as I was met with oodles of fascinating cacti.
Their various-shaped stems, cylindrical, recumbent or creeping, were tantalizing while their unexpectedly brilliant flowers were even more charming. 
Photo on the right:The tender leaves of a Chinese tulip tree
Some flowers were long with a red or yellow tube, others were scarlet coloured and shaped like funnels while some had white segments with a pinkish base.
As I made my way into the Orchid House, a small room revealed the beauties of various species of orchids.
Though only some species were blooming at this time of the season, they still managed to bring much elegance to the surroundings.
The creeping lady's tresses were bearing pale, greenish flowers on its slender spike. The tiny flowers were dainty and lovely with their hooded petals and short lips.
The fragrant orchids seduced with exhilarating scents and added more allure with their purplish-pink flowers among the lance-shaped leaves.
Coming out of the Orchid House into the open courtyard, my eyes were dazzled by the bell-like saffrons and fabulous dahlias, which were planted along the paths as well as in the central open space.
Water lilies were blooming in a pond on the other side of the compound, which offered a contrast to the bright-coloured flowers.
The pure white and pink petals of the elegant water lilies stood out against the deep green round leaves. When breezes brushed by, the blossoms, like graceful ballerinas, slightly swayed on the water.
My trip ended in the Herbaceous Garden, where my eyes feasted on even more flowers.
Sassy spikes of purple agastache rugosas lit up the narrow paths, happy daisies joined in as part of the luscious palette while lavender morning glories were embraced by pale-green hairy grasses.
Address: North suburb, next to the Black Dragon Pool Park
How to get there: take the No 9 bus until it terminates
Admission: 5 yuan (US$0.60) 

A blooming cholla flower
 
 

A pink water lily