266 鼋头渚赏樱花
Admiring oriental cherry blossoms at the Turtle Head Islet
Wuxi in April is a poetic picture alive with life of spring, chirping of birds and fragrance of flowers. The love for the cherry blossom is part of life in this city where omnipresent cherry blossoms and peach blossoms add to the romantic character of this modern city.
The Festival of Cherry Blossom at the Turtle Head Islet of Wuxi is held between March 20 and April 25 each year, when you will see cheery blossoms growing spectacularly over a vast area from Changchan Bridge to the Cheery Valley on the bank of Taihu Lake.
The Turtle Head Islet, side by side and inseparable with Taihu Lake, has got its name for a peninsula northwest of Taihu Lake which juts out to the lake just like a holy turtle holding up its head. The locals regard the Turtle Head Islet as the essence of the landscape of Taihu Lake and in my eyes, the best part of the Turtle Head Islet lies in its cherry blossoms.
The Turtle Head Islet in April, misty with lake waters and scented with cherry blossoms, flows with layers of cherry blossoms of pink and white-pink, charming and appealing. Streams of tourists are flocking to have themselves photographed with those cherry blossoms, which set off the beaming faces.
In 1918, Yang Hanxi, a local gentleman who had studied in Japan and returned to China, planted the first Japanese oriental cherry trees in Wuxi. In 1980s, after the establishment of diplomatic relation with Japan, Japanese friends presented Wuxi 300 cheery trees as a token of friendship. Later in 1987, in order to further friendly exchange between China and Japan, 1,500 cheery trees were planted at the foot of Luding Mountain of the Turtle Head Islet tourist area, which has since drawn people from near and far around the Qingming Festival each year for its beauty.
On the avenue of Sino-Japanese cherry blossoms, you will be carried away by the flavors of Japan amid the poetic and picturesque landscape of South China, relaxed mentally and physically.
Whether standing on the small bridges over the ancient canal or strolling along the paths alongside Taihu Lake, you will never fail to feel the mellow cultural character of Wuxi. It is just like a romantic poet --- when you read it in a whisper, your steps begin to slow down and your heart has already bee entranced with pleasure.
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