March3is the perfect time to admire cherry blossoms. Although Japan is famous for its cherry blossoms, for most people without holidays, the blossoms there can only be admired on screen. Though not as renowned as Japan’s, China’s cherry blossoms are no less stunning when in full bloom. Instead of stressing over how to get time off to go to Japan, why not visit the following5places~!
Wuxi · Turtle Head Isle
Immerse yourself in a mesmerizing cherry blossom shower
Wuxi’s Turtle Head Isle is one of the world’s three top cherry blossom viewing spots, home to3thousand cherry blossom trees. Scenic areas such as Chongshan Hidden Beauty, Changchun Flower Ripples, and Cherry Valley Fragrance......— even just the names of these viewing zones are poetic. When the blossoms are in full bloom, the entire park becomes a sea of pink, and when the breeze blows, fragrant showers of petals drift through the air, creating an enchanting atmosphere that’s truly captivating.......
Bloom period:3mid-March to4early April
Ticket price:105yuan
Transportation:Take sightseeing bus K1 from the south square of Wuxi Railway Station, which will take you directly to the main entrance (Chongshan Gate) of Turtle Head Isle Scenic Area(main gate)
Wuhan · Moshan
Admire cherry blossoms under the night sky
The cherry blossoms at Wuhan University are already world-famous. Nowadays, during the cherry blossom season, the campus is packed not only with flowers but also with crowds. In Wuhan, you can also visit Moshan Cherry Blossom Garden, where the entire park is designed with Japanese garden aesthetics, featuring classic elements such as ponds, islands, torii gates, and traditional wooden structures. During the cherry blossom season, you can even enter the park at night to admire the blossoms under colorful neon lights — a uniquely charming experience.
Bloom period:3late March to4mid-April
Ticket price:60yuan
Transportation:Take402,402,413,515,643RoadBusGet off at Moshan Station and you’ll arrive.
Kunming · Yuantong Mountain
Cherry blossoms bloom alongside crabapple flowers
“Yuantong Cherry Blossom Tide” is the most famous scenic sight in the spring city of Kunming. The area is mainly planted with Yunnan cherry and Japanese cherry trees. Every spring3month, thousands of cherry trees burst into a sea of pink and white blossoms, complemented by the blooming weeping crabapple, creating a truly delightful view.
Blooming period:3mid-month to4early month
Ticket:15yuan
Transportation:Take bus lines4,59,74,83,101, etc.,and get off atYuantong Mountain Station.
Dalian Lushun Port · Longwangtang Cherry Blossom Garden
Century-old cherry trees still bloom vibrantly
Many people don’t realize that the earliest and most abundant cherry blossom plantation in China is located in Lushun, Dalian. As early as1926In the year, the Longwangtang Cherry Blossom Garden was established incidentally during a trip.8The park spans 660,000 square meters and is planted with over 30,000 cherry blossom trees of various species, with10some 100-year-old early-blooming Japanese cherry trees still alive, as well as a century-old star magnolia transplanted from Osaka. If4you’re planning to visit the north in March, don’t forget that you can also enjoy cherry blossoms in Dalian.
Blooming period:4Mid to late March
Admission:2020 RMB
Transportation:Take the Lushun South Road bus from the north square of Dalian Railway Station to the Shuishang Renjian station. After getting off, continue walking about200500 meters in the direction of Lushun Road, then at the fork in the road(in front of the Longwangtang Police Station,)turn right and walk another400150 meters or so to reach the Cherry Blossom Park.
Lin’an · West Zhejiang Tianchi (Heavenly Lake)
Tracing blossoms along the ancient Wu-Yue Road
West Zhejiang Tianchi is located atop Qianqian Mountain at an altitude of about11001,100 meters, where the wild mountain cherry blossoms are very famous. Unlike typical cherry blossoms, wild mountain cherry blossoms have smaller petals, bloom more densely, and due to the cooler mountaintop temperatures, their blooming period is later — you can even see them in mid to late April. You can hike up the Wu-Yue Ancient Road, following the trail of wild cherry blossoms, not only enjoying the beautiful flowers but also adding the joy of hiking.
Blooming period:4Mid to late April
Admission:3838 RMB
Transportation:Take a bus from Lin’an West Station bound for Daoshi or Xinqiao, get off at Taipingqiao in Dakeng Town midway, then transfer to a minivan or small taxi directly to the Tianchi scenic area.
Cherry blossoms are about to bloom everywhere — why not plan a small, fragrant cherry blossom holiday this weekend?~