Cherry blossom
In spring.
Holger Naether — CC BY-SA 3.0 · ping lin — CC BY-SA 3.0 · ping lin — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Gisling — CC BY-SA 3.0 · 螺钉 — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Huanokinhejo — CC BY-SA 4.0 · ping lin — CC BY-SA 3.0 · ping lin — CC BY-SA 3.0
The loveliest spot on Lake Tai, one of China's largest freshwater lakes: a peninsula on its northwest shore shaped like a turtle's head reaching into the water, hence its name; it became a park in 1916 and celebrated its centenary in 2016. Gardens, pavilions, waterside walkways and rocky cliffs over the wide lake are spread across its green hills, and in spring, between March and April, thousands of cherry trees bloom, making it one of China's most famous cherry blossom spots, while old fishing sailboats sometimes glide across the water. Ferries leave its pier for the Sanshan Islands in the middle of the lake, opened to visitors in the mid-1980s, with gulls following the boats on the way; the islands have paths among the trees, pavilions and views over the lake. Tickets are about CNY 90 including the ferry, per visitor guides. The area is very large, so allow at least half a day, and it gets very crowded in cherry season, so go early in the morning.
In spring.
Wide and calm.
And lake gulls.
Northwest shore of Lake Tai, Binhu District, Wuxi
Usually between March and April; tickets are about CNY 90 including the ferry to the Sanshan Islands, and it is very crowded in cherry season, per visitor guides.