| Cherry blossoms in full bloom on Yeouido's Yunjungno in southern Seoul, in this photo taken on April 5, 2020 / Korea Times file |
By Jun Ji-hye
Spring has finally arrived after a long winter to herald the blooming of cherry blossoms despite continued social-distancing measures.
Cherry blossoms generally sprout in mid-April, but warm weather these days has caused the flowers to bloom sooner than in previous years.
Last year, the first cherry blossoms in Seoul were observed on March 27, the earliest on record. It was seven days earlier than April 3 in 2019, and 14 days earlier than the average date of April 10 between 1981 and 2010.
The annual cherry blossom season gives families, friends and lovers a chance to enjoy leisurely strolls under the white-and-pink cherry blossom trees and take pictures against the blooming backdrops.
This year, people may continue to be asked to refrain from visiting cherry blossom sites to stem the spread of COVID-19, but digital travel platform Agoda shared ideas of where to experience them in Asia for future travel.
Korea: Seoul, Jeju
Tourists are invited to take a stroll along the lake at Seoul Grand Park that is located just south of Seoul, or visit old palaces in the city, which make great spots to admire and photograph the flowers while learning about Korea's rich history and architecture.
Agoda said Walkerhill Hotel Seoul's Douglas House, which is surrounded by woodland, offers a relaxing ambience for guests.
On Jeju Island, one of the top travel destinations in Korea, king cherry blossoms, which have the largest petals of all cherry tree varieties, can be seen all over the Seogwipo downtown area.
Hotel Seogwipean is a stylish minimalist hotel that is close to the downtown area for people wishing to see Jeju's king cherry trees blossom.
Japan: Tokyo, Yamanashi
Springtime sees Tokyo's Yoyogi Park and Meguro River come alive with color, but tourists should not miss out on an alternative yet beautiful way to see these blossoms at Yanaka Cemetery which bursts with expansive cherry trees.
In April, it is recommended to head up north as visitors can enjoy breathtaking views of the blooming cherry blossoms against the picturesque Mount Fuji located in southeastern Yamanashi.
Nagasaki Park is a popular spot for many locals to enjoy walks under canopies of white and pink cherry blossoms.
Taiwan: Taichung, Nantou
Wuling Farm in Taichung is one of the most popular viewing spots for cherry blossoms in Taiwan, with over 20,000 cherry trees.
An hour's drive from Puli Township of Nantou County is the Aowanda National Forest Recreation Area located behind the Wanda Reservoir, home to the indigenous tribes of Sediq and Atayal.
Tourists can see an abundance of cherry blossoms and butterflies in spring as well as the majestic Aowanda Bridge that connects the beautiful pine forest area and the intersection of the north and south streams of the Aowanda River.
Malaysia: Kedah, Penang
Every year from February to April, the streets of Alor Setar, the state capital of Kedah, are lined with ethereal trails of pink and white. Known as Tecoma trees, these flowers resembling cherry blossoms transform the city. While the flowers can be found in most parts of the city, by far the best-known hotspots are along Jalan Kuala Kedah and Jalan Langgar.
When venturing down south, another destination ― Penang ― boasts dazzling Tecoma blooms alongside its famous foods, culture and heritage.
These beautiful flowers typically bloom during the dry season between February and April, carpeting the roads with petals of pink, white and purple.
Philippines: Palawan, Cavite
In addition to its pristine beaches, Palawan offers another remarkable attraction ― the Philippines' own cherry blossoms. Known as the balayong, or the Palawan cherry, these trees produce white and pink flowers that bloom every March to April.
| Seen is a small lagoon in Palawan. Palawan is known for its pristine beaches and also an abundance of cherry blossoms in spring. gettyimagesbank |
Closer to Manila, Dasmarinas, a first-class city in the province of Cavite, also boasts its own faux cherry blossoms.
The dainty pastel pink blooms are a product of trumpet trees ― a distant cousin of Japan's sakura trees which fall just as gracefully, leaving delicate sheets of color across its surroundings.
Thailand: Nakhon Pathom, Phatthalung
To experience Thailand's cherry blossoms ― chompoo pantip ― tourists should head to Kasetsart University, which boasts more than 200 chompoo pantip trees.
Full bloom happens in March and April, where the trees on both sides of the street are adorned with pink flowers forming a romantic pathway covering the landscape with soft pink petals.
Those who are unable to experience chompoo pantip could still find the Thale Noi Waterfowl Reserve's blooming pink lotuses.
Vietnam: Hanoi, Da Lat
Nhat Tan Village located in the northwest of Hanoi has a unique dark pink shade of cherry blossom trees, curated by local gardeners. Accompanying these beautiful spring views are cooler temperatures, ensuring a delightful holiday from the hustle and bustle of city life.
Da Lat is also exceptional in the spring and known as the city of flowers with about 3,000 bright pink cherry blossom trees. These blossoms are popular for their unique shape, reflecting five-leaf apricot trees.