A Plum Blossom Pilgrimage to Yongfu An Temple

Shanghai Flower Viewing | Plum Blossoms | Yongfu An Yongfu An is tucked away beside Shanghai University. I probably wouldn't have come here if I wasn't specifically looking for plum blossoms. The temple gate is modest, a small bridge over flowing water coexists with vegetable patches, creating a slightly unkempt yet welcoming atmosphere. Three plum trees stand by a pond near a row of ground-floor rooms, their slender branches holding up a canopy of elegance. Three plum trees. Their trunks are no thicker than a wrist, their height falling short of the eaves. They are a far cry from the gnarled, ancient plum trees I had envisioned. However, the koi in the pond below are plump and round, their scales shimmering gold in the early spring sunshine. Sunlight filters through the plum branches, casting reflections on the water's surface, creating a charming interplay with the swimming fish. Yellow walls and corridors encircle the courtyard, accentuating the delicate silhouettes of the three plum trees. The branches are laden with red blossoms, trembling gently in the breeze. Tripods are already set up along the corridor, where several photographers are meticulously adjusting their angles. The clicking of shutters rises and falls, as if keeping time with this springtime solo performance. I find a quiet corner and raise my phone. In the viewfinder, a plum branch slants across the yellow wall, the shadows of a few red blossoms falling perfectly on the wall's edge. I'm immediately delighted to have captured this evocative scene.