The cherry blossom season in Wuxi is absolutely breathtaking!

Strolling through the Yixing China-Japan Friendship Cherry Blossom Garden, the pink-white petals create a dreamy mist-like scenery. When the breeze passes, the falling cherry blossom rain makes you feel as if you've been transported to Japan. This garden, connected through cherry blossoms, carries the profound cultural friendship between China and Japan, while continuing Wuxi's long-standing tradition of cherry blossom appreciation. 🌸A Thousand-Year Cherry Blossom Connection As early as the Tang Dynasty, Wuxi became one of the earliest cherry blossom viewing destinations due to its unique geographical advantages. The Northern Song poet Su Shi described in his poem "Evening Scene on Spring River by Hui Chong": "Beyond bamboos, a few peach blossoms show; Ducks know first when river waters warm flow"—capturing precisely the spring floral scenery of this region. Today, this poetic charm is perfectly embodied in Yixing's cherry blossom garden. 🏯The Past and Present of China-Japan Friendship Cherry Blossom Garden This 300-acre garden was established in 2002, coinciding with the 30th anniversary of the normalization of China-Japan diplomatic relations. It features over 3,000 cherry trees donated by Japanese friends, including prized varieties like Somei Yoshino and Yaezakura. The "Peace Bell" in the main garden area, crafted by Japanese artisans, stands as a symbolic landmark of friendship amidst the cherry blossoms. 📜Literary Memories Under Cherry Trees Walking along the garden's stone paths, one can easily recall the "Cherry Blossom Scroll" painted by Yixing-born artist Wang Hui during the Ming Dynasty. This master painter, ranked alongside the "Four Wangs of the Early Qing," was a pioneer in cherry blossom artistic representation. Today, his artistic vision continues in this cherry grove, with each falling petal seeming to whisper tales of millennium-old elegance. 🎎A Modern Version of "Floating Cherry Blossoms on Meandering Streams" The most distinctive feature is the winding water landscape surrounding the main cherry blossom area. Designers ingeniously drew inspiration from the ancient Chinese elegant tradition of "floating wine cups along winding streams," creating a unique "cherry blossom floating banquet" where petals drift along clear currents. We recommend bringing portable tea sets to enjoy Yangxian tea amidst the falling petals, experiencing the leisurely refinement of ancient scholars beneath the flowers. This Qingming season, as you wander through this cherry blossom forest, you're not just admiring spring's gift—you're feeling the continuation of a thousand-year cultural legacy. From the poetic praises of Tang and Song poets to the witness of China-Japan friendship, every cherry tree tells the story of Yixing, this ancient city.