The two Chinese catalpa trees on Wushan Mountain near West Lake in Hangzhou are in full bloom. [Photo/Qianjiang Evening News]

Two ancient Chinese catalpa trees, each over 530 years old, are in full bloom on Wushan Mountain near West Lake.

The trees have long been renowned as the "most beautiful ancient trees" in Hangzhou, capturing the attention of locals and tourists alike.

Chinese catalpa trees are known as "living fossils" in the plant kingdom, often referred to as the "king of ten thousand trees" due to their majestic beauty.

With a history dating back to the Eocene epoch before the Quaternary glaciation, Chinese catalpa trees are among the oldest living tree species.

In ancient times, the trees were commonly used for construction and furniture-making due to their lightweight yet dense wood. They were also used to make Go boards, hence the name "catalpa board" in Chinese.

Apart from the two trees on Wushan Mountain, there are also Chinese catalpa trees blooming on Beishan Street and on the east side of the administrative building of the Hangzhou Botanical Garden.

The trees are currently in full bloom, with the flowering period lasting about 20 days. Visitors eager to admire these blossoms are advised to do so as soon as possible.

The two Chinese catalpa trees on Wushan Mountain near West Lake in Hangzhou are in full bloom. [Photo/Qianjiang Evening News]