About half of the lotuses on the West Lake have now been in full splendor by the middle of July, marking a prime time for cameras and travelers. A walk along the lake shore at dawn (when petals first unfold) or dusk would be highly recommended to escape the heat in daytime. You’ll see womanly flowers blinking in a vast expanse of table-size leaves in layers. The anticipated charity sales of West Lake lotus seed pods and leaves will begin in about two weeks.