On the first day of blooming, Liusu's petals are white, with a tinge of blue at the tips. [Photo/hangzhou.com.cn]

The water lilies at Santan Yinyue, or Three Pools Mirroring the Moon, in West Lake, Hangzhou, are currently in full blossom.

Liusu, a species of water lily, features different colors in different flowering days. On the first day of blooming, its petals are white with a tinge of blue at the tips. On the second day, pink strips appear on the white petals. The color of the strips will deepen daily until it becomes deep pink and disappears from the surface.

Wanglian, or royal water lily, another species of water lily, has undergone its first bloom this year. Wanglian features huge pads that can usually span two meters.

Same as Liusu, Wanglian also has white petals which eventually turn pink before it disappears from the surface four or five days later.

People still need to wait a while before enjoying the seedpod of the lotus in West Lake.