In Suzhou, Jiangsu Province in eastern China, a wetland park is staging a curious reversal of the seasons. Outside, the air is wintry, yet inside a specially designed greenhouse, lotus flowers that normally bloom in high summer are opening in full colour, offering visitors a pocket of early-summer brightness in the middle of winter.

Stepping into the greenhouse feels like stepping back in time. Pink-and-white lotus blossoms stand tall above glossy green leaves; some blooms are fully open while others shyly part their petals, composing a lively winter “summer view” that delights sightseers and photographers alike.

The out-of-season flowering is made possible by precise environmental control. Researchers and horticulturists regulate temperature, humidity, and day length to recreate a miniature summer. More than a dozen lotus varieties are being tested in the greenhouse, selected or newly bred from last year’s lines to suit the controlled conditions.