Blooming water lilies turn the reflecting ponds at Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden (XTBG) into spectacular attractions. Giant Victoria water lilies, with leaf of a diameter of up to two meters, highlight the displays, which include hundreds of other aquatic plants of 80cultivars. 

From July 1 to October 7, XTBG will continuously feat eyes of visitors with different blooming water plants, with peculiar focus on king lotus and other water lilies, such as Nymphaea ‘Foxfire’, N. ‘Suwanna’, N. ‘Bull's Eye’, N. ‘Murasaki Shikibu’, N. ‘Islamorada’, N. 'King of Siam, etc. 

The royal water lily is a famous tropical aquatic ornamental plant from the Amazon Rainforest of South America. With a diameter of up to three meters, the leaf can support a weight of up to 50 kg.  

Taking advantage of large bearing capacity of the royal water leaves, XTBG offers popular science program of “A boat of a leaf”, allowing kids less than 30kg to experience boating in a huge mature king lotus leaf. 

The royal water lily’s flowers are also very special. The color of the first blossom is white while the second is pink. The fragrant flower often blooms at night, closes the next morning, and opens again at noon or in the afternoon. 

During this prime viewing time, in lakes and ponds (with the royal water lily pond most attractive), the massive buds of water lilies and lotus will open in the dawn and feast eyes of the visitors. Some other popular science programs are also available. 

Come and enjoy the special beauties of the tropical water plants at XTBG. 

Royal water lilies at XTBG 

Water lilies in bloom. 

Water lilies in bloom. 

Blossoming lotus at XTBG. 

Lotus culture on display.