Plum Blossom Hill is a pleasant spot located close to the Ming Tombs on Purple Mountain. The area is a garden dotted with plum blossom trees, flowers, picnic spots. It was also called Mausoleum of King of Wu in ancient times. In 1930s the hill was turned into a realm of rose and flower trees, beginning planting plum here. Plum Blossom Hill is Nanjing residents' favorite place for spring outing. Now Plum Blossom Festival is held every spring here. The hills lead to the Botanical Gardens. It covers 187 hectares and has over 3,000 species of plants along paths and small ponds with bridges crossing over. Since 1980, it started to maintain a close relationship with the Minnesota Botanical Gardens in the United States.