With sakura season upon us, these four places around the network offer great opportunities to view the fleeting blossoms before they're gone
1. Hiroshima, Japan
The sakura is due to bloom in late March in the city. One of the best spots for hanami (flower viewing) is along the banks of the Motoyasu River, which runs through the heart of the city’s centrally located Peace Memorial Park.
2. Jinhae, South Korea
Located just west of Busan and an easy day trip from Seoul, this small town does a charming cherry blossom festival, which runs in early April each year. There are a host of street stalls and performers as well as hundreds of flowering trees lining the railway tracks.
3. Wuhan, China
East Lake Park is one of the largest cherry blossom sites in the world, stretching over 80km2 and featuring over 10,000 trees. Thousands of visitors are expected to visit from mid-March.
4. Chiang Mai, Thailand
If you can’t make it to one of the blossom sites this month, start planning a year-end visit to Khun Chang Kian, near Chiang Mai. This highland agriculture research station hosts Thailand’s own sakura season from December to January.
SEE ALSO: 5 breathtaking places to view cherry blossoms in Taiwan
This article was originally published in the March 2019 issue of Silkwinds magazine
