From now till mid-April, Shanghai is in the cherry blossom season. Here are some of the best places to enjoy the flowers in the city.
Hongkou Football Stadium Station 虹口足球场
Every spring when cherry blossoms are in full bloom, Hongkou Football Stadium Metro Station becomes a must-visit place. If you walk through Exit 1 of Line 8, you'll be greeted by a forest of cherry blossoms. The second floor's platform at Exit 2 of Line 3 is also the perfect spot to take pictures. It's like a fairytale world when the train passes over the cherry blossoms. You can also visit the nearby Luxun Park which has nearly 400 cherry trees.
Best viewing time: Mid-March to late March
Address: Hongkou Football Stadium Metro Station, Hongkou District
虹口区虹口足球场地铁站
Tian'an 1000 Trees 天安千树
In the springtime, you have one more reason to visit the "floating forest" Tianan 1000 Trees ― cherry blossom. Tian'an 1000 Trees has imported Japanese Yoshino trees. The flowers are planted on both sides of the 900-meter walkway, providing a romantic walking experience.
Best viewing time: Mid-March to late March
Address: 600 Moganshan Rd, Putuo District
普陀区莫干山路600号
Nansuzhou Road 南苏州路
From Sichuan Road Bridge to Zhapu Road Bridge, Nansuzhou Road has the Suzhou River on one side and cherry blossom trees on the other side. The beautiful flowers, together with the Postal Museum and the Oriental Pearl TV Tower, form a perfect scene to take photos. If you are not in rush, take a break at the coffee shop along the street on a sunny spring afternoon.
Best viewing time: Mid-March to late March
Address: Nansuzhou Rd, Huangpu District
黄浦区南苏州路
Gucun Park 顾村公园
As the largest cherry blossom garden in Shanghai, Gucun Park has more than 100 hectares of land devoted to 110 kinds of cherry blossoms. There are many early cherry varieties in the park. This year, a new species – Yanzhifei – will make debut in the park. The pink Ferris wheel beside the Cherry Blossom Avenue is a highlight.
Best viewing time: Mid-March to late March
Address: 4788 Hutai Rd, Baoshan District
宝山区沪太路4788号
Long Museum West Bund 龙美术馆 (西岸馆)
The West Bund has always been a gathering place for young people in Shanghai. It's home to nearly 140 Yoshino cherry trees, Japan's most iconic cherry blossoms. The flowers are initially light red and gradually turn white when they reach full bloom.
Best viewing time: Mid-March to late March
Address: 3398 Longteng Ave, Xuhui District
徐汇区龙腾大道3398号
Dongchang Road Metro Station 东昌路地铁站
When you walk out of Exit 1 of Dongchang Road Metro Station, you will find a large chunk of cherry blossoms. What's special here is that you can take photos of cherry blossoms and the famous three-piece set (Jin Mao Tower, Shanghai Tower, Shanghai World Financial Center) altogether.
Best viewing time: Mid-March to late March
Address: Dongchang Road Metro Station, Pudong New Area
浦东新区东昌路地铁站
Guangfulin Relics Park 广富林遗址公园
Guangfulin, known as the roots of Shanghai's history and culture, is a top choice when viewing cherry blossoms. Arch bridge, flowing water, ancient houses and cherry blossoms – any random place here will provide you with beautiful scenery. There are also rare green cherry blossoms in the nearby Guangfulin Country Park.
Best viewing time: Late March to early April
Address: 3260 Guangfulin Rd, Songjiang District
松江区广富林路3260号
Shanghai Chenshan Botanical Garden 上海辰山植物园
The cherry blossom garden in Shanghai Chenshan Botanical Garden has an area of 58,000 square meters, with more than 2,000 cherry blossoms, covering early, middle and late types of cherry blossoms that you can enjoy from late February to late April. The garden's 2023 Cherry Blossom Festival is underway. You can enjoy activities like camping among cherry blossoms or visit the cherry blossom post office.
Best viewing time: Late February to mid-March (early cherry blossom), late March to early April (middle cherry blossom), early April to late April (late cherry blossom)
Address: 3888 Chenhua Highway, Songjiang District
松江区辰花公路3888路
Nanpu Bridge Bus Stop 南浦大桥公交站
During the cherry blossom season, Nanpu Bridge Station is one of the most beautiful bus stations in Shanghai. The pink and white Yoshino flowers and the white buses create an atmosphere similar to that of a Japanese drama. The stairs here are the best spot to take photos.
Best viewing time: Mid-March to late March
Address: Nanpu Bridge Bus Station, Huangpu District
黄浦区南浦大桥公交车站
Changping Road Metro Station 昌平路地铁站
The intersection of Changping and Changde roads has cherry blossom trees lined up. The flowers look like a pink cloud floating in the air. Expect less tourists here, so you can enjoy a quieter place when viewing cherry blossoms.
Best viewing time: Mid-March to late March
Address: Exit 5 of Line 7, Changping Road Metro Station, Jing'an District
静安区昌平路地铁站
Tongji University 同济大学
The cherry blossom avenue inside Tongji University is famous. In March, more than 200 Yoshino cherry trees will form a sea of white and pink flowers. Be aware that the university hasn't reopened its campus to the public. Let's wait a bit longer.
Best viewing time: Mid-March to late March
Address: 1239 Siping Rd, Yangpu District
杨浦区四平路1239号
Minhang Sports Park 闵行体育公园
Minhang Sports Park is also a place to go because it has a large number of cherry blossoms and offers free admission. Many spring flowers such as cherry blossoms, crab apples and tulips are planted on both sides of the flower walkway. There is also a large cherry blossom forest on the right side of Gate 1.
Best viewing time: Late March to early April
Address: 456 Xinzhen Rd, Minhang District
闵行区新镇路456号
Gaodong Cherry Garden 高东樱花园
Not known to many people, there's a cherry blossom garden in Gaodong Town. The road, with more than 1,000 meters in length, has cherry trees planted on both sides.
Best viewing time: Mid-March to late April
Address: 300 Guangyao Rd, Pudong New Area
浦东新区光耀路300号