As the chill fades and the days grow warm, spring returns once more. Our greatest anticipation for spring is the budding of new life, flowers competing to bloom, with vibrant greens and a riot of colors adorning every corner of the world. Particularly, the cherry blossoms, which last only about ten days, are swept away by spring winds and rains, leaving only fallen petals. If we overlook the timing and miss them, we must wait another year, making this fleeting beauty even more precious.

In Beijing, Yuyuantan Park and the National Botanical Garden are stunning cherry blossom viewing spots! Let's explore this beauty together!

Recommended viewing period: Last week of March to the end of April (varies by species and bloom time)

Recommended viewing locations: Yuyuantan Park, National Botanical Garden, Gengdan Institute in Shunyi

Yuyuantan Park

When it comes to enjoying cherry blossoms in Beijing, Yuyuantan Park is the first place that comes to mind! With a wide variety of cherry blossoms and a long blooming period, it is one of the most beautiful places to appreciate flowers in Beijing during spring. The cherry blossom garden in Yuyuantan Park covers an area of 25 hectares and is home to over 2,000 cherry trees, making it one of the largest and most famous cherry blossom parks in China. It is also known as one of the "Eight Scenic Spots of Cherry Blossoms" in Beijing.

Since the 1970s, Yuyuantan Park has not only served as a public park but has also played a significant role in international cultural exchange. In 1972, following the normalization of diplomatic relations between China and Japan, then-Prime Minister of Japan Kakuei Tanaka visited China and presented 1,000 cherry blossom trees from Hokkaido as a gift. These trees were distributed to various parks, including Temple of Heaven, Temple of the Sun, and Zizhuyuan Park, with 180 planted in Yuyuantan Park. While many of the cherry trees in other parks struggled to adapt, those in Yuyuantan Park thrived and blossomed beautifully. In April 1994, a delegation from the Japanese embassy, including the ambassador and cultural counsellor, visited the park to enjoy the cherry blossoms and left behind the inscription "Cherry Blossoms Convey Friendship."

Every year in March and April, the cherry blossoms bloom, creating a dreamy atmosphere with their delicate pink petals falling like snow. The "Cherry Blossom Valley" in the park features a sunken garden, utilizing the terrain to create a unique landscape known as the "Cherry Blossom Slope". Here, over 200 cherry trees of 20 varieties, including "Yangchun" and "Honghua", are planted. Coupled with year-round floral displays, this area has become the most concentrated in terms of flowers and plant diversity within the park, offering a rich variety of scenic experiences for cherry blossom viewing, hence the name "Cherry Blossom Valley".

National Botanical Garden

The National Botanical Garden boasts a wide variety of flowers, allowing visitors to enjoy cherry blossoms alongside a plethora of spring blooms in Beijing—truly a vibrant display of nature.

The garden has a tradition of enjoying spring at the South Lake and autumn at the North Lake. In March, the South Lake is at its most picturesque, with cherry blossoms adorning the branches among the tender green willows and pink plum blossoms. Each step reveals a new scene, with distant green hills reflecting beautifully in the lake, resembling a stunning painting. Sitting by the lakeside to appreciate the view and take photos feels like stepping into a picturesque landscape.

Gengdan Institute in Shunyi

While everyone knows about the diverse cherry blossom varieties at Beijing's Yuyuantan Park and the stunning colors at Wuhan University, few are aware of a tranquil and hidden cherry blossom viewing spot in Shunyi, Beijing: Gengdan Institute. 

Located in Niulanshan Town on Niufu Lu(Rd), Gengdan Institute of Beijing University of Technology features many cherry trees planted in the 1970s, with some varieties not found in Yuyuantan Park, totaling over 500 trees—more than at Wuhan University. These trees are scattered throughout the campus, including Cherry Blossom Avenue, the east side of the library, and the art building, creating a soft floral fragrance and a gentle, romantic atmosphere with drifting petals. The enchanting beauty of the cherry blossoms, combined with the vibrant energy of the young students, forms a stunning youthful landscape. As Gengdan Institute is a research institution, it is recommended to consult the school for visiting hours before going.