Spring is here, and so is Shanghai's cherry blossom season.. With the first wave of flowers already in full bloom, it's time to grab your camera, pick your favorite spot, and immerse yourself in the beauty of these fleeting blossoms. Here's a roundup of the best places around the city to catch the cherry blossoms in all their glory.
Chenshan Botanical Garden (Songjiang)
© 小红书: 悠长假期Ni, Andy 77
If there's one place that consistently makes the case for being one of the best cherry blossom spots in Shanghai, it's Chenshan. The early-blooming cherry blossoms are already close to full bloom, and they're right by Gate 1. Go early, and be prepared for the crowds.
Gucun Park (Baoshan)
© 小红书: 艾玛芸
Gucun Park is also one of Shanghai's most reliable cherry blossom spots, especially for early-blooming varieties like Kawazu and Somei-Yoshino. The best areas right now are the wooden boardwalk near Gate 1 and the riverside paths by the Ferris wheel, all offering open space and dense blossoms.
Jing'an Sculpture Park (Downtown)
© 小红书: Rionida
Right in the city center, Jing'an Sculpture Park is a convenient option if trekking out to the big parks feels like too much effort. The early cherry blossoms here usually start appearing in late February, with a small grove and a narrow sakura path in the park's southwest corner. Come around dusk, the path lights up in soft blue evening lighting, which gives the blossoms a surprisingly atmospheric look.
Gongqing Forest Park
Gongqing Forest Park © 小红书: 无成灰
The cherry blossoms at Gongqing Forest Park are slowly starting to open, it is likely still a couple of weeks away from its peak cherry blossom season. Late March is when the park's iconic "sakura avenue" hits full bloom. So, while you may need to wait until the end of the month for the best shots, it's one to keep an eye on.
And Also
Pengpu Xincun Metro Station © 小红书: JIANGZiYa有鳥之鄉
These are some of the more popular spots in Shanghai for cherry blossom viewing. Of course, there are many other cherry trees scattered throughout the city, but they might not be worth a special trip unless you happen to be nearby.
Some of the places worth checking out include Daning Tulip Park, the area around Metro Line 3's Pengpu Xincun station, the West Bund Long Museum, Guangfulin Relics Park, Luxun Park, and Shanghai Botanical Gardens. However, be aware that the cherry blossoms may not have fully bloomed at all of these spots just yet, as different varieties bloom at different times, and the weather plays a big role. So, if you're planning a dedicated cherry blossom trip, make sure to double-check that the flowers are in full bloom before heading out to avoid disappointment.
Guangfulin Relics Park © 小红书: seven
May your cherry blossom season be full of pink petals!
Long Museum © 小红书: 贝壳呀贝壳
