9 travel destinations to see stunning cherry blossoms around the world

Paris, France – late February to March

The City of Light morphs into the City of Blossoms every spring, as the rows of cherry trees at the Parc du Champ de Mars blush pink. The flowers can also be found around the French capital’s parks and neighbourhoods.

Alishan, Taiwan – early March

Great for hikes, tea and hot springs, the mountainous township of Alishan in Taiwan is also a great place to view beautiful cherry blossoms every spring. The Jushan hiking trail is lined on both sides with flowering Yoshino cherry trees, while the upscale hotel Alishan House in the Alishan National Scenic Area is another popular location.

Shanghai, China – mid-March to mid-April

Cosmopolitan and cool, Shanghai gives in to the wonders of spring each year. If you don’t mind being shoulder to shoulder with other daytrippers, Gucun Forest Park offers some of the best views, but those who prefer to admire the scenery in peace should head to Lu Xun Park or Tongji University instead.

New York, USA – late March or early April to mid-May

In one of the world’s most well-known concrete jungles, Brooklyn Botanic Garden provides respite to some 42 different varieties of cherry trees. To usher in the blooming of cherry blossoms this year, the park in the Big Apple will again celebrate all things Japanese by holding the Sakura Matsuri on April 29 and 30.

Washington, DC – early April

Bloom time comes to the capital of America on April 4 this year at the three locations where the trees grow – around the Tidal Basin in West Potomac Park, and at Hains Point in East Potomac Park. The trees first took root in the capital in 1910 as a symbol of friendship between the USA and Japan; and now, the annual flowering is accompanied by the National Cherry Blossom Festival, which includes a kite festival, a parade and performances.

Seoul, South Korea – early April

If you’ve been to Japan for sakura season, it may be worth paying a visit to neighbouring South Korea instead, where the blooms are shorter but no less delightful. In Seoul, Yeouido Park is the most popular place for flower viewing, while the ancient architecture of Gyeongbokgung provides a lovely backdrop for the springtime spectacle.

Vancouver, Canada – early April

Since 2006, Vancouver has welcomed spring with the annual, weeks-long Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival, which features a line-up of art performances, film screenings and the international Haiku Invitational. Not forgetting the picturesque sight of 40,000 sakura trees in bloom across the city.

Stockholm, Sweden – mid to late April

The Scandinavian city of Stockholm is probably one of the last places you would expect to see cherry blossoms, but the sakura trees ringing the open plaza at the mediaeval Kungstradgarden park bloom in defiance every spring. The square teems with life when that happens as tourists and locals come to picnic and admire the flowers.

Curitiba, Brazil – July

The largest population of cherry blossom trees in South America is in Brazil, which is also home to the biggest population of ethnic Japanese outside Japan. In Curitiba city, south-west of Sao Paolo, trees at the Botanical Garden of Curitiba and the Japanese Garden bloom in July, giving tourists and locals an excuse to pause and soak in the sights.