May, a time between late spring and early summer, is always mild and pleasant.
Last month, the State Council, China's cabinet, announced that this year's May Day holiday will be extended to four days, from May 1 to 4.
As the extended holiday approaches, have you decided where you are going to enjoy the special leisure time?
We have selected five of the best destinations for you.
QINGHAI LAKE, QINGHAI, NORTHWEST CHINA
Photo taken on Dec. 21, 2017 shows the sunset glow over the frozen Qinghai Lake in northwest China's Qinghai Province. (Xinhua/Jia Haiyuan)
Although the flowering period has not yet arrived, bird watching in Qinghai Lake is embracing the golden time.
Some hardy waterfowls who came early from the south become the first inhabitants of the lake in spring, either playing around in the water or lazing on the shore.
Brown-headed gulls rest at the Xiannvwan scenic spot of Qinghai Lake in northwest China's Qinghai Province, April 10, 2019. (Xinhua/Zhang Hongxiang)
Birdsong echoing between heaven and earth becomes a melodious soundtrack for this beautiful painting of the landscape in northwest China.
DUJIANGYAN, SICHUAN, SOUTHWEST CHINA
Aerial photo taken on May 2018 shows a scenery of Dujiangyan, one of China's four ancient irrigation sites, in southwest China's Sichuan Province. (Xinhua/Xue Yubin)
Dujiangyan Irrigation System is a 2200-year-old irrigation project that makes the area the "land of abundance".
It awes all tourists with its grandiose imposing manner and rumbling sound.
Aerial photo taken in May 2018 shows a scenery of Dujiangyan, southwest China's Sichuan Province. (Xinhua/Xue Yubin)
When coming out of Dujiangyan's bustling downtown streets in the drizzle of May, you will be greeted by the the magnificent river and the sweet breeze.
How refreshing and thrilling!
DONGTING LAKE, HUNAN, CENTRAL CHINA
A herd of Milu deer run at a shelter for Milu deer and birds near Dongting Lake, central China's Hunan Province, May 23, 2018. (Xinhua/Li Ga)
As a Chinese poetry goes: "The lake in eighth moon runs not high; Its water blend with azure sky. Cloud and dream fall into the river; When its waves rise, the town walls shiver."
In May, the tenuous mist makes Dongting Lake a Chinese wash painting.
The lake and the sky are merged in the same color. The water surface shimmers in the sunlight as if it's gilded. Wild birds rest leisurely on the islands. Mountains look like green snail lying on a silver plate.
Don't miss the Yueyang Tower where you can have a panoramic view of the site.
People visit the Yueyang Tower in Yueyang, central China's Hunan Province. (Xinhua/Chen Yehua)
SUZHOU, JIANGSU, EAST CHINA
Aerial photo taken on April 17, 2019 shows the scenery of Humble Administrator's Garden in Suzhou, east China's Jiangsu Province. Suzhou is home to dozens of famous classical gardens that have inventive and exquisite design and oriental aesthetics. (Xinhua/Li Xiang)
Suzhou, worthy of its praise, is very beautiful at this time of year.
You can see white walls decorated with dark tiles, aged gardens divided by stone roads and small bridges over flowing streams...
People listen to the Suzhou Pingtan, type of storytelling and ballad singing in the local dialect, in Zhuozheng Yuan Garden, a famous ancient garden in Suzhou, east China's Jiangsu Province. (Xinhua/Wang Jianzhong)
If you listen closely, you can even hear the sound of Pingtan, a combination of storytelling and ballad singing, wafting through the teahouses.
All these in Suzhou will paint a colorful dream about the south of the lower reaches of the Yangtze River for you.
WULINGYUAN, HUNAN, CENTRAL CHINA
Photo shows the sea of clouds on the Tianzi Mountain at the Wulingyuan scenic area in Zhangjiajie City, central China's Hunan Province, March 14, 2018. (Xinhua/Wu Yongbing)
Wulingyuan in May will become a misty natural maze with overlapping mountains, fantastic peaks, dense forests and various endangered species.
The silent peaks and sea of clouds wake up everyday as the slowly rising sun in the dawn dyes everything rosy.
Limpid streams meander in the forest delightfully. The vivifying sounds of animals fall on your ears while fresh and humid air flows into your chest.
Such a view will definitely take your weariness away.
Macaques play on a roof at Wulingyuan National Park in Zhangjiajie, central China's Hunan Province, on Feb. 24, 2019. (Xinhua/Wu Yongbing)
Despite the vast land and countless tourist attractions in China, one can always find a place to rest the busy soul.
As Irish dramatist Charles Macklin once said, you are as welcome as the flowers in May.
