A Golden Spring: The Yellow Poui Bloom at Qingxihu Reservoir

March 07, 2026

A Golden Spring: The Yellow Poui Bloom at Qingxihu Reservoir

It was the season for the Golden Trumpet Trees (Yellow Poui) to bloom again. On a bright, sunny afternoon, I grabbed my camera and headed off to Qingxihu Reservoir in Dongguan to capture these fleeting, beautiful moments, stitching together a story about spring and life.

At the junction of Beihuan Road and Qinglin Road, the landmark stone tablet for the Qingxi Scenic Area of Yinping Mountain Forest Park stood tall, like the opening line to a scroll painting of mountains and water.

Driving along the winding road, the first thing to catch my eye was a Flame Tree in full bloom by the roadside. Its fiery red color was vibrant and spectacular against the surrounding greenery, as if lighting up the passion for my spring exploration trip.

Tucked among the lush branches, a delicate pink Hibiscus flower (Chinese Hibiscus) drew my lens. Its gentle petals were unfurled, with the stigma tipped with yellow anthers at the center, a romantic highlight of the tropical flair.

However, deep within this vibrant floral scene, there were also marks of time. Two adjacent tomb markers, "Jing Tou Bo Gong" and "Wei Zu Bo Gong," lay peacefully, coexisting harmoniously with nature, guarding the tranquility of the land.

Later, on the side closer to the mountain, another tomb, "Xu Gong's Tomb," stood alone and solemn, bearing witness to the cycle of life.

Arriving at the foot of the Qingxihu Reservoir dam, this was the stage for the star of spring—the Golden Trumpet Tree. Following its habit of flowering before leafing out, the entire tree was completely covered in golden blooms, with not a trace of green visible. This strong visual shock announced the grand arrival of spring.

In one corner by the lake, an SUV had a plastic child's scooter strapped to its roof. This heartwarming sight suggested a family enjoying their outdoor time together with joy and warmth.

Next, we reached the "Shangqing Pavilion" by the lake. This quaint, Chinese-style stone pavilion, with its inscribed name plaque and couplets on the pillars, added a touch of humanistic poetry and historical depth to the water body.

While resting in the pavilion, a beautiful Great Orange-Tip butterfly gracefully landed. The bright yellow and red patches on the underside of its wings, paired with clear black veins, made it light and agile, adding a lively splash of color to the stillness.

Looking up, an unopened purple Magnolia bud caught my eye. It was long and oval, wrapped in a purplish-red to purplish-brown coat covered with fine down, like a carefully packaged treasure waiting for its moment to bloom.

Continuing to the entrance plaza of Qingxihu Reservoir, a huge, prominent stone tablet inscribed with "Guangdong Chinese Poetry Society" stood solemnly, highlighting the local appreciation for traditional culture and the art of poetry.

Looking out from the lakeside, Qingxihu Reservoir was at a low water level. Large patches of exposed sand and the dried riverbank stretched out in the sun, telling the story of the water change. The open, calm body of water had soft tones. Occasionally, one could see people walking alone on the grassy banks or strolling leisurely on the distant green lawn, forming a peaceful spring tableau.

In the center of the lake, the antique, pavilion-style top of the Qingxihu stratified water intake tower harmonized beautifully with the surrounding green hills and clear water. A greenway has been built around the reservoir, making it an excellent spot for citizens to hike, relax, and connect with nature.

Climbing onto the Qingxihu Dam, visitors were slowly walking along it, fully enjoying the peaceful and refreshing views of the lake and mountains.

On the dam, a small vendor had various children's outdoor toys and supplies displayed, including plastic windmills, kites, and fishing nets. This brought a lively touch of human activity to the tranquil lakeside, drawing a perfect conclusion to my trip to Qingxihu Reservoir.