No need to wait for spring — Chiang Mai in Thailand is already blooming with cherry blossoms

The abundance of cherry blossoms has attracted many tourists to make the trip up the mountain. (Photo / Courtesy of local tourism website)

With cherry blossoms in full bloom on Yangmingshan, the Department of Geotechnical Engineering also specially set up a cherry blossom rest stop for visitors. (Photo / Taipei City Government Department of Public Works, Bureau of Geotechnical Engineering)

When it comes to cherry blossom viewing, many people think of Japan. However, according to this year’s cherry blossom front forecast by Japanese media, it won’t be until mid-to-late March at the earliest that blossoms will begin to appear in Tokyo and Kyushu. In fact, you don’t have to wait for warmer spring weather — some places are already in full bloom, both domestically and abroad, just waiting for flower enthusiasts to explore these hidden gems.

Tropical Thailand also has its own secret cherry blossom spots. Cherry blossoms are widely planted in the mountainous regions of northern Thailand, particularly in Chiang Mai. Among them, Kun Chang Kian is the most famous cherry blossom viewing destination. From December each year to February of the following year, vast cherry blossom forests burst into bloom, with swathes of pastel pink coloring the hillsides like a fairy-tale wonderland. Locally known as the "Tiger Queen," Thai cherry blossoms bear some resemblance to their Japanese counterparts, but their delicate stamens and softer pink hues make them especially adorable.

In Taiwan, there are also several cherry blossom paradises that are easy to reach without trekking great distances. The northern highlight is along Pingjing Street on the outskirts of Taipei’s Yangmingshan, where cold-hardy and mountain cherry varieties dominate. These typically begin blooming in late January each year. The Taipei City Government Department of Public Works, Bureau of Geotechnical Engineering, has also created a cycling-friendly cherry blossom rest stop for cyclists to enjoy the view and is a great spot for the public to go for a spring outing.

For those in southern Taiwan looking to admire cherry blossoms, a bit more effort is required. The cherry blossom park in the mountainous Taoyuan District is now home to hundreds of lovely pink Higan cherry trees, creating a stunning spectacle. The Taoyuan District Office noted that the area’s mountainous regions are mainly planted with mountain and Higan cherry trees. There are around dozens of Higan cherry trees, which bloom earlier and display a light pink hue, while the more numerous mountain cherry trees — numbering in the thousands — bloom later with deep pink flowers. Both varieties offer their own unique charm.