If it feels like everyone you know is suddenly booking flights to China, you’re not imagining things. There’s even that whole “very Chinese time in my life” trend taking over TikTok, with people half-jokingly leaning into everything from Chinese wellness hacks to bingeing microdramas. Cities like Shanghai, Chongqing, and Chengdu have also become go-to short-haul escapes for Singaporeans.
Back home, we already have mala everywhere, Chinese chain restaurants in our malls, and even a 24-hour mega spa in Jurong that looks like one of those crazy spas in China. So here’s one more reason to go to the source: cherry blossom season.
We’re starting with the best spots to view cherry blossoms in Shanghai, one of the most popular cities in China, to help you plan your itinerary.
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Image credit: @竹籽籽籽🎋 via RED
While cherry blossom season in China generally runs from mid-February to early May, in Shanghai, the sweet spot is usually mid-March to mid-April.
Peak bloom tends to fall between late March and early April – that’s when the trees are at their fluffiest, and you won’t even have to edit your photos.
That said, bloom timings can shift each year slightly depending on the weather. Warmer winters can make the blossoms show up earlier, while random cold snaps might push things back. If you’re planning your trip purely for the sakura, we recommend keeping an eye on park announcements or local updates closer to your travel dates.
Some even bring ladders and props, so head down early if you don’t want people and inanimate objects photobombing your pics.
Image adapted from: @So & @偷一头猪 via RED
Blossom spots can get crowded during peak season, so it’s best to arrive right when the park opens for fewer photobombers and way better shots for the ‘Gram. Weekends also tend to be packed with both locals and tourists. If your schedule allows, slot your sakura hunt on a weekday morning and thank yourself later.
Remember to check the weather forecast before heading down – clear blue skies make the pink pop in photos. Rain and strong winds, on the other hand, can knock petals off early and shorten the peak window.
And as tempting as it is to shake the trees for a cinematic video with petals falling, don’t. The season is already short enough – please leave the blossoms intact so everyone gets to enjoy them.
Finally, some parks are huge, and you’ll easily clock 10,000 steps chasing the prettiest blooms, so make sure you wear cute but comfortable shoes.
Image adapted from: @Ahon via RED
If you only have time for one major sakura spot, make it Gucun Park (顾村公园). There are over 10,000 cherry blossom trees, making it one of the largest places to catch the blooms in Shanghai, and even in China.
The park also hosts an annual Cherry Blossom Festival, which ran from 15th March to 15th April in 2025. Based on that, you can expect the 2026 edition to fall around the same mid-March to mid-April window.
One of the prettiest photo ops here is a pastel pink Ferris wheel right in the park – tickets cost ¥30 (~S$5.51), and you can hop on for a bird’s-eye view of the cherry blossoms in full bloom.
Image adapted from: @花都在逃干饭公主 via RED
Admission tickets to the park cost ¥20/adult (~S$3.67), ¥10/student (~S$1.84), ¥16/senior (~S$2.94) aged 60 to 64, and free for seniors 65 and above, persons with disabilities, and children 1.3m and below.
Take note that during festival season, the park is open daily from 6am to 6pm, with ticket sales ending at 4.30pm.
Admission: From ¥10 (~S$1.84)
Get the best of both worlds at Key Spring Garden (琴键春园), as tulips will also be blooming alongside cherry blossoms, from mid-March to early May. That means having tulips in the foreground and sakura in the background for unreal photos.
According to users on XiaoHongShu, the tulips usually bloom first, with cherry blossoms starting to appear in late March and peaking in early April. Time it right and you might just catch that overlapping window where both flowers are in full bloom simultaneously.
Admission: Free
Image adapted from: @稀奇酱🍙sheekii via RED
For a pink cherry blossom tunnel moment, head to Chenshan Botanical Garden (辰山植物园) from mid-March to early April. There’s an 800m-long walkway lined with over 100 cherry blossom trees on both sides that’s not only stunning IRL, but equally breathtaking in photos. Enter via Gate 1 for the quickest access to the cherry blossom garden and that iconic stretch.
According to the garden’s official WeChat account, the trees here aren’t super tall, so you won’t need to awkwardly tilt your head just to get a decent shot. They also mentioned skipping the weekends and going on a weekday afternoon if you can, and consider wearing a hat so you stand out against the sea of pink in photos.
Image credit: @白相人嫂嫂猫小姐 via RED
Tickets are priced at ¥60/adult (~S$11.02), ¥30 (~S$5.51) for children aged 6-18 and students, and free for seniors above 65 and children below 6 years old or under 1.3m.
It’s slightly pricier than other parks, but you’re paying for the full botanical garden experience, which means plenty of other blooms to check out beyond just cherry blossoms.
Admission: From ¥30 (~S$5.51)
As the 2nd largest park in Shanghai, Gongqing Forest Park (共青森林公园) is home to over 300,000 trees across more than 200 species – so yes, you’ll be admiring more than just sakura here.
Plan your visit between end March and early April for the best views of cherry blossom trees. But what makes this spot extra dreamy are the lakes and little bridges scattered around the park. When petals start falling, you’ll see them floating across the water, creating an almost snowy effect on the lake’s surface.
Consider packing some snacks and just chill on one of the benches. Sometimes, the best way to enjoy cherry blossom season isn’t rushing for photos, but slowing down and soaking in the scenery.
Admission: Free
Image adapted from: @Ry.雨飞 via RED
Right in the heart of the city is Jing’an Sculpture Park (静安雕塑公园), which features contemporary sculptures by artists from around the world, so your cherry blossom pics come with a side of culture.
Come mid to end March, and you’ll see the whole space transform into a soft pink scene as the cherry blossoms start blooming. While it’s not the biggest sakura spot in Shanghai – there are around 70 cherry blossom trees here – what it lacks in numbers, it makes up for in aesthetic backdrops.
If you’re planning to visit, users on XiaoHongShu recommend entering via Gate 1 as it gets you to the best photo spots faster.
Admission: Free
Image adapted from: @S的小隔间 & @T.V.Zoe🍟劉大哭 via RED
Shanghai may be a fast-paced city of skyscrapers and mega malls, but at Fuxing Park (复兴公园), it slows down. Built in 1909, it’s Shanghai’s oldest European-style park, known for its French-style landscaping.
It does have its fair share of cherry blossom trees to admire here, though not in the same massive numbers as the bigger parks. Still, the pink-white blooms against European garden backdrops give off romantic vibes – plan your visit for end March, when the blossoms are usually at their prettiest.
The park is located in the French Concession, and just a short stroll from Nanchang Road, where you’ll find rows of cafes and boutiques to check out after sakura fix.
Admission: Free
Image adapted from: @Monroe’s Backyards via RED
The largest park in Shanghai, Century Park (世纪公园), is an alternative to the crowded spots like Gucun Park and Chenshan Botanical Garden. But of course, visit during off-peak hours for the best experience.
Image adapted from: @Monroe’s Backyards via RED
Cherry blossoms here typically peak from mid-March to early April. One XiaoHongShu user even shared a map highlighting the spots within the park to catch different spring flowers in 2025. It should be pretty similar this year – just look out for “樱花” (cherry blossoms in Chinese) on the map and make your way there.
Admission: Free
Image adapted from: @AnXin via RED
Fun fact: Lu Xun Park (鲁迅公园) is named after the renowned Chinese writer Lu Xun, who spent the last years of his life living nearby.
For the chio-est blooms, visit between end March and early April. XiaoHongShu users recommend entering via the North Gate, since it’s closest to the main highlight – the cherry blossom pond.
After you’ve snapped your pics, take a short walk to Sichuan North Road and grab a cherry blossom ice cream from one of the shops along the way.
Admission: Free
Image adapted from: @趣蜂南京旅游攻略 & @梅辞南山 via RED
If you’re willing to venture a little further out, consider a day trip to Wuxi – just 30 to 40 minutes from Shanghai by high-speed train. The city is especially famous for its cherry blossoms, drawing both tourists and locals who make the trip down just to catch the blooms IRL.
One of the most popular spots is Turtle Head Island (鼋头渚), known for its postcard-worthy views. Prime viewing areas include the Changchun Bridge and Shangying Pavilion, where you’ll get sweeping shots of cherry blossoms.
Plan your visit between mid-March and early April, when the blossoms are generally at their fullest.
We’ve already done the legwork for you with this roundup of cherry blossom spots. Pair it with our 4D3N Shanghai itinerary for inspo, and all that’s left to do is book one of those cheap flights from Singapore to China.
More things to do in China:
Cover image adapted from: @花都在逃干饭公主, @AnXin & @趣蜂南京旅游攻略 via RED
Peak bloom in Shanghai tends to fall between late March and early April.
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