With the opening of the Shanghai Cherry Blossom Festival last Saturday, the early-blooming cherry blossoms in Gucun Park are now in full bloom, creating a spectacular sight. This week, as Shanghai bids farewell to days of rain and welcomes sunny, warmer weather, the Feihan cherry blossoms, which bridge the transition between early and mid-season cherry varieties, have also reached peak bloom, offering an even more dazzling floral display for residents and visitors.

Entering Gucun Park through Gate 1, visitors are immediately greeted by a row of Feihan cherry trees, with the vibrant spirit of spring in the air. The rich seasonal atmosphere draws numerous residents and tourists to stop and take photos. The Feihan cherry trees stand tall and upright, and under the clear blue sky, their branches are adorned with clusters of pink blossoms, appearing especially delicate and enchanting.

“Cherry blossoms only bloom once a year, and the color of these blossoms isso beautiful—truly breathtaking,” said Phuwadat, a visitor from Thailand who has been traveling in Shanghai with his family for five days. To make the most of the glorious springtime, they chose Gucun Park as the final stop of their trip.

To create a cherry blossom-themed park with the most beautiful landscapes and the most continuous blooming season, Gucun Park has in recent years introduced the Feihan cherry variety, which is well-suited to Shanghai’s climate and grows vigorously. The blooming period of the Feihan cherry falls between that of the early-blooming Kawazu cherry and the mid-season Somei Yoshino cherry. When in full bloom, the Feihan cherry resembles clouds or snow, painting the park in vibrant pink and perfectly bridging the gap between early and mid-season blossoms.

“The Feihan cherry is characterized by its tall, upright form and bright pink blossoms, which align well with Chinese aesthetic preferences for flower viewing. For example, the Feihan cherry avenue near Gate 1, Qishan Road near Gate 2, and the Feihan tunnel near Gate 3 are currently among the best spots to enjoy these blossoms in full bloom,” said the landscaping director of Gucun Park.

The Feihan tunnel is located by Yuelin Lake near the barbecue area, where over a hundred Feihan cherry trees line a winding path nearly 300 meters long. When in full bloom, the cherry blossoms form a dazzling pink tunnel, making it a hidden place within the park—less crowded yet exceptionally beautiful, and a perfect spot for cherry blossom viewing and photos.

Currently, Gucun Park is home to over 13,000 cherry trees, encompassing more than 120 varieties. The overall blooming season can last for more than 60 days. According to the park authorities, with continued sunny weather this week, the early-blooming varieties—such as Taiyu, Kawazu, and Daikan cherries—will soon enter the “cherry blossom rain” phase, when petals begin to fall like rain under the sunshine and rising temperatures.

In about a week, large areas of mid-season cherry varieties—particularly the Somei Yoshino—will begin to bloom in succession throughout the park. The best viewing period is expected to arrive around late March and the Tomb-Sweeping Day.