Warm up Winter with Colors

by Olivia Hung

photos by Wang Huiming

Winter is entering its grimmest period. Severe cold and leafless trees can depress even the liveliest of souls. So while you're huddled around the heater, give some thought to bringing a touch of early spring to your homes with some bright flowers or lush greenery.

Liang Ma He Flower Market

Location: On the south side of the Lufthansa Shopping Center. The first floor of the market building sells fresh cut flowers. A few shops outside the building sell plants and flower pots. The second floor has a very interesting selection of home decorative items, bric-a-brac, and handmade crafts. Dried and artificial flowers are also available here, with prices ranging from 5 yuan to 35 yuan per flower.

Tian Hong Flower Market

Location: Opposite Hongqiao Market.

If you find the offerings in Liang Ma He second floor tend to be too Western in style, then you can come here to find products both in traditional Chinese and modern Western styles.

Apart from fresh cut flowers and dried flowers, there are bigger selections of pots and plants here.

Lai Tai Flower Market

Location: east of Jingxin Mansion, on the way to Holiday Inn Lido

If you drive and need a place to park, or you want to shop in an better organized environment with English translations of the species on offer to help you avoid confusion, Lai Tai is the place to go. This is a clean, bright and spacious supermarket for shopping for greenery. Cut flowers, pot plants, dried flowers, vases and some handicrafts are all available here. There is a large selection of imported plants from Holland which are not easily available anywhere else in Beijing. Credit cards are accepted.