With temperatures rising over the past few weeks after a quick yet cold winter, spring is finally upon us. Local parks and public green spaces across the city are currently experiencing an unusually early blossoming of their flora, which will be brief but beautiful. The following is a list of some of the city's best venues to enjoy Shanghai in full bloom.

Magnolia blossoms

Photos: CFP

Shanghai Botanical Garden in Xuhui district has reportedly seen the very first magnolia flower blooming in Shanghai this year. More flowers are expected to be in full blossom in the following days. Admission is just 15 yuan ($2.29).

Address: 1111 Longwu Road 龙吴路1111号

Call 5436-3369 for details

Shanghai Fangta Garden (Square Tower Garden) in Songjiang district is home to over 100 magnolia plants, with some more than 30 years old. There is also a magnolia tree whose trunk is 40 centimeters in diameter, which is rarely seen in Shanghai. Admission is only 12 yuan.

Address: 235 Zhongshan Road East 中山东路235号

Yulan Garden, located at the intersection of Nanchang Road and Chongqing Road South, is a very small park in central Shanghai. But what is quite special about this place is its very rare breed of yellow magnolia flowers. Road lamps inside the park shaped like magnolia are another unusual feature.

Plum blossoms

Shanghai Haiwan Forest Park in Fengxian district boasts over 40,000 plum trees covering a total area of 133 hectares. There are reportedly more than 120 kinds of plum blossoms throughout the park. Visitors can appreciate these beautiful flowers at the park's five designated spots for plum trees. Admission is 80 yuan.

Address: 1677 Suitanghe Road, Haiwan town 海湾镇随塘河路1677号

Call 5716-9696 for details

Xinzhuang Plum Garden in Minhang district is the sister project of Xinzhuang Park. Specifically designed for the research and plantation of plum trees, the garden is home to about 1,000 plum plants of over 30 varieties. There are also currently 200 potted plum trees on display in the garden. Entrance is free.

Address: 688 Hongxin Road 虹莘路688号

Nestled along the banks of Dianshan Lake in Qingpu district, Shanghai Grand Park is a famous local tourist attraction. The park's plum garden is one of the four largest plum plantations in Jiangnan area and Shanghai's best venue to see plum blossoms. Apart from the colorful plum trees, visitors can also enjoy a wide range of folk culture performances inside the park. Admission is 60 yuan.

Address: 701 Jinshang Highway

金商公路701号

Call 5926-2089 for details

Cherry blossoms

Gucun Park in Baoshan district is the city's largest and best-known venue to enjoy cherry blossoms. There are nearly 10,000 cherry trees of some 50 varieties throughout the park. An annual Cherry Blossom Festival will kick off on March 20 and run till mid-April, and is expected to attract large crowds of visitors. Admission is only 20 yuan.

Address: 4788 Hutai Road, Gucun town 顾村镇沪太路4788号

Call 5604-5199 for details

Shanghai Chenshan Botanical Garden in Songjiang district is another ideal place to appreciate cherry blossoms. The park features a 550-meter-long thoroughfare lined with Japanese Kawazu sakuras. Hundreds of other varieties of cherry trees, many of which were imported from abroad, offer a spectacular treat for visitors. Admission is 60 yuan.

Address: 3888 Chenhua Highway

辰花公路3888号

Call 3779-2288 for details