Admire vibrant spring flowers bloom across China
While Japan and South Korea are famous for their cherry blossoms, China also offers a colourful spring with cherry pink flowers. The diverse landscape transforms into a multihued tapestry that cannot be seen anywhere else, with patterns of cherry, apricot, rapeseed, and azalea flowers stretching across the country. If you’re looking for a weekend getaway to witness nature’s spectacular show, Gucun Park is the perfect destination. Here are where to go to see nature’s spectacular show for your weekend getaway!
Gucun Forest Park, Shanghai City
It is the site of Shanghai’s annual Cherry Blossom Festival, which runs from mid-March to mid-April. With over 12,000 cherry trees, Gucun Park is the largest cherry tree park in the city and a must-visit destination if you are in Shanghai this spring. The park’s impressive blooms are easily accessible by subway.
Prince Bay Park, Hangzhou City
If you plan to visit Hangzhou this spring, make sure to stop by Prince Bay Park, which is widely regarded as one of the best cherry blossom viewing spots in the country. Prince Bay Park is renowned for its vast collection of over 30,000 tulips, which typically bloom in April, in addition to its numerous cherry trees. The park’s stunning spring blossoms make it a popular location for weddings and a major tourist attraction in the spring. Hangzhou is just a one-hour high-speed train ride from Shanghai.
Zhangping Yongfu Cherry Blossom Garden, Xiamen City
You may have previously seen this garden featured on the cover of National Geographic Magazine. Yongfu Garden boasts 42 varieties of cherry trees, making it home to some of China’s most beautiful and sacred cherry blossoms. During cherry blossom season, the path through the tea plantation becomes a tunnel of blooming pink and white flowers, and there are also night illuminations. The season runs from late January to mid-March, which coincides with the beginning of the new fiscal year. If you plan to visit Xiamen, this location is only a 2-hour drive from downtown.
Wuxi Turtle Head Isle, Wuxi City
The cherry trees were initially co-built by the city of Wuxi and a Japanese civic group in 1987 as a symbol of friendship between the people of Wuxi and Japan. Wuxi Turtle Head Isle has been hosting the International Cherry Blossom Festival every year since then, featuring various Japanese and Chinese folk activities. The cherry blossoms typically bloom from early March to late April. For a weekend getaway only 45 minutes away from Shanghai, Wuxi Turtle Head Isle is a great option if you live in Shanghai.
Yuyuantan Park, Beijing City
In Beijing, Yuyuantan is one of the most popular spots to view cherry blossoms from mid-March to mid-April. With roughly 2,000 cherry trees, it’s no surprise that this location is a favourite. Many of these cherry trees were gifts from Japan when the two countries re-established diplomatic ties in the 1970s. During quieter periods, the park offers a peaceful escape from the city and is an ideal location for picnics, kite flying, or boat trips.
East Lake Cherry Blossom Park, Wuhan City
Along the banks of Wuhan’s renowned East Lake, there are several parks where you can admire the cherry blossoms during a leisurely stroll from early March to early April. Every year, stalls line the path, creating a festive atmosphere for visitors to enjoy while appreciating the cherry blossoms. The pink cherry blossom rows are striking day and night, illuminated by lanterns.
Zhongshan Park, Qingdao City
The park has been a popular cherry blossom viewing spot for years. Picnickers under the cherry blossoms, with blue tarps covering the ground, are a common sight in spring. Qingdao is a laid-back city to visit in China, where cherry blossoms can be found on some streets with a sea backdrop.
Shanghai Botanical Gardens, Shanghai City
Located in the southwest suburbs of Shanghai, the Shanghai Botanical Garden is China’s largest municipal botanical garden, showcasing thousands of plant species from around the world. The gardens are picturesque in any season, particularly in spring when cherry blossoms and other springtime blooms are in full bloom. If you’re tired from cherry blossom hunting, you can take a charming train ride around the park for a small fee.
Million Sunflower Garden, Guangzhou City
A visit to Guangzhou is incomplete without a trip to the impressive Million Sunflower Garden, the largest sunflower garden in China. The park boasts literally a million sunflowers, with 200,000 in bloom on any given day. The best time to visit is in spring when most of the sunflowers are in bloom, along with the park’s more than 6,000 cherry blossom trees.
Summer Palace, Beijing City
The Summer Palace, located in the northwest of Beijing, is a spectacular destination that is worth visiting throughout the year. However, it is particularly enchanting in the spring when the numerous cherry blossoms are in full bloom, usually in early April. To enhance your experience, take a 50-minute canal boat cruise from the lake in Yuyuantan Park to the Summer Palace. This will allow you to enjoy the blossoms at both sites and take in great views of the city along the way. Tickets can be purchased at the entrance of Lushun Longwangtang Cherry Park, located in the northern Chinese city of Dalian.
Lushun Longwangtang Cherry Park, Dalian City
The cherry blossom season runs from mid-April to early May. The park is connected to the historic site where big guns were fired during the battle between the Japanese and Russians years ago. Visitors can explore acres of cherry trees along a labyrinth of trails and enjoy the sight of hundreds of them.
Haven’t decided yet where to travel this spring? Please feel free to chat with our travel consultants and tailor-made your special itinerary!
