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Photos show vibrant cherry blossoms in bloom around the world

A woman takes takes a selfie in front of blooming cherry flowers at a modern sightseeing tourism agriculture park of Aoshan Town on March 3, 2023 in Chun an County, Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province of China.
A woman takes takes a selfie in front of cherry blossoms in Zhejiang province, China.VCG/Getty Images
  • Across the globe, people flock to see cherry blossoms in the spring.

  • The pink and white flowers can be seen in countries including Japan, China, and the US.

  • Photos taken across the world show people enjoying cherry-blossom season this year.

Every year, Tokyo hosts a series of festivals to celebrate the long-awaited cherry-blossom season.

An artist draws cherries blossom.
An artist draws cherries blossom.Anadolu Agency/Getty Images

In Japanese culture, the annual blooming of cherry blossoms — or sakura trees, as they are called in Japan — represents renewal, and the brevity of their peak season serves as a reminder of the "fleeting nature of life," according to a 2014 Smithsonian article. The season coincides with the start of the school year in Japan, which only adds to the sense that it is a time of hope and fresh starts.

In Japan, the act of appreciating the cherry blossoms is called "hanami," which translates to "flower viewing." This tradition has longstanding historical roots: Cherry-blossom viewing parties in Japan can be traced back to the 8th century, during the country's Nara period, according to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden.

Each of the annual festivals in Tokyo has its own unique character and set of activities. The Ueno Sakura Festival, for example, features dance performances and flea markets, while the Tokyo Sakura Garden Spring Festival features a one-night dance party with local jazz musicians.

When Tokyo's cherry blossoms bloomed in mid-March, it matched the record for the earliest flowering trees on record.

A person takes a photograph of the cherry blossoms in Tokyo, March 2023.
A man in Ueno Park, Tokyo, takes a photo of the early cherry blossoms on March 14, 2023.RICHARD A. BROOKS/AFP via Getty Images

The trees in Tokyo began flowering on March 14 this year, which is the earliest date since records began in 1953, according to the Japan Times. This matches the records in 2020 and 2021.

Trees bloomed earlier in other Japanese cities as well, including Osaka and Nagoya.

Kawazu is home to the earliest-blooming cherry blossoms in eastern Japan.

People enjoy early-blooming Kawazu cherry blossoms in Kawazu of Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan, Feb. 24, 2023.
People enjoy early blooming Kawazu cherry blossoms in Kawazu, Japan, on February 24, 2023.Zhang Xiaoyu/Xinhua/Getty Images

While most cherry-blossom festivals take place during March and April, the Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival starts on February 2. The festival attracts more than 1 million visitors each year, according to Japan's tourism organization.

Hangzhou City, in China's Zhejiang province, also boasts vibrant cherry blossoms.

A woman takes takes a selfie in front of blooming cherry flowers at a modern sightseeing tourism agriculture park of Aoshan Town on March 3, 2023 in Chun an County, Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province of China.
A woman takes takes a selfie in front of blooming cherry flowers at a modern sightseeing tourism agriculture park of Aoshan Town on March 3, 2023.VCG/Getty Images

According to the city's official website, the cherry blossoms can be viewed across Hangzhou at locations including Taiziwan Park, the Hangzhou Cherry Blossom Garden, and the Hangzhou Botanical Garden.

In Huangshan, in the Anhui province of China, the cherry blossoms create a striking contrast with the surrounding greenery.

Aerial view of blooming cherry blossoms at a tea garden on March 12, 2023 in Huangshan city, Anhui Province of China.
Aerial view of blooming cherry blossoms at a tea garden on March 12, 2023, in Huangshan city, Anhui Province of China.Shi Yalei/VCG/Getty Images

Huangshan, which is in the east of China, is home to lush cherry blossoms that were bright pink by mid-March.

Tourists and locals stop to take photos of Huangshan's cherry blossoms.

A tourist enjoys blooming cherry blossoms at a tea garden on March 13, 2023 in Huangshan city, Anhui Province of China.
A tourist enjoys blooming cherry blossoms at a tea garden on March 13, 2023, in Huangshan city.Shi Yalei/VCG/Getty Images

The pink trees stand out against the green grass and blue sky, creating a picturesque scene.

In Fuzhou, in China's Fujian province, bright cherry blossoms stand out along the water's edge.

Aerial view of cherry blossoms in full bloom on an island at Shadi village on March 9, 2023 in Fuzhou, Fujian Province of China.
Aerial view of cherry blossoms in full bloom on an island at Shadi village on March 9, 2023, in Fuzhou, Fujian province of China.VCG/Getty Images

But cherry blossoms are not always bright pink — they can be a pale pink, white, or yellow.

Guiyang, in China's Guizhou province, is home to a variety of flowers.

A bird sits on a branch of a cherry tree on February 11, 2023 in Guiyang, Guizhou Province of China.
A bird sits on a branch of a cherry tree on February 11, 2023, in Guiyang, Guizhou province of China.Qin Gang/VCG/Getty Images

Plum blossoms, cherry blossoms, cole flowers, peach blossoms, and pear flowers are just some of the flowers available for viewing in Guiyang.

During the spring, the landscape in the Malong District of Qujing in China is full of rich colors.

A scenic area which features over 400 mu about 26.7 hectares of cherry blossoms in Malong District of Qujing City, southwest China's Yunnan Province.
A scenic area which features over 400 mu about 26.7 hectares of cherry blossoms in Malong District of Qujing City, southwest China's Yunnan Province.Chen Xinbo/Xinhua/Getty Images

The trees add pink accents across the green fields of Quing City's Malong District.

The landscape in Zhangping, in China's Fujian province, is also dotted with cherry blossoms every spring.

Aerial view of blooming cherry blossoms at a tea garden in Yongfu Town on February 18, 2023 in Zhangping, Fujiang Province of China.
Aerial view of blooming cherry blossoms at a tea garden in Yongfu Town on February 18, 2023 in Zhangping, Fujian province of China.Ai Shimin/VCG/Getty Images

Blooming cherry blossoms add an eye-catching pop of color.

Xuanwu Lake Park, the largest urban park in the south of China, is another popular destination for the country's cherry-blossom lovers.

Tourists enjoy blooming cherry blossoms at Xuanwu Lake Park on March 19, 2023 in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province of China.
Tourists at Xuanwu Lake Park on March 19, 2023.Su Yang/VCG/Getty Images

Xuanwu Lake Park, one of the top tourist destinations in Nanjing, China, becomes even more popular during cherry-blossom season.

Cherry blossoms cover Tangbu Village in east China's Zhejiang province.

This aerial photo taken on March 13, 2023 shows cherry blossoms in Tangbu Village of Yuhang District in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province. The cherry blossoms in full bloom attracted many tourists.
This aerial photo taken on March 13, 2023 shows cherry blossoms in Tangbu.Xu Yu/Xinhua/Getty Images

According to China Daily, the boom in tourism prompted by the annual blooming of the cherry blossoms brings economic benefits to the country's rural areas, including Tangbu Village.

Washington, DC, is also famously home to an annual cherry-blossom festival.

Blooming cherry blossoms are seen along the Tidal Basin on Tuesday March 21, 2023 in Washington, DC.
Blooming cherry blossoms are seen along the Tidal Basin on March 21, 2023, in Washington, DC.The Washington Post/Getty Images

The cherry trees in Washington, DC, were planted over a century ago, in 1912. Japan gifted the trees to the US to reinforce a friendly relationship between the two countries.

Every year, the city's National Park Service hosts events during the trees' peak season.

The trees make for a great photo shoot backdrop.

A bride and groom are framed by blooming cherry blossoms along the Tidal Basin on Tuesday March 21, 2023 in Washington, DC.
A bride and groom are framed by blooming cherry blossoms along the Tidal Basin on Tuesday March 21, 2023 in Washington, DC.The Washington Post/Getty Images

This couple had a photo shoot in front of the cherry blossoms along the Tidal Basin.

Like elsewhere across the globe, the cherry blossoms' peak started early this year.

Cherry blossoms near peak bloom around the Tidal Basin on March 21, 2023 in Washington, DC.
Cherry blossoms near peak bloom around the Tidal Basin on March 21, 2023 in Washington, DC.Paul Morigi/Getty Images

In DC, historically the cherry blossoms' peak has started on April 4, but this year the peak started nearly two weeks earlier, on March 23, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing the National Park Service.

Every spring, the University of Washington in Seattle becomes a tourist attraction because of its impressive collection of cherry blossoms.

Flowering cherry trees in spring time at the Quad of the University of Washington in Seattle, Washington State, USA.
Flowering cherry trees in spring time at the Quad of the University of Washington in Seattle, Washington State, USA.Wolfgang Kaehler/Avalon/Getty Images

Each year, thousands of people visit the University of Washington to bask in the beauty of the campus's cherry blossoms. According to the university, in 2023, the trees are expected to reach their peak in early April.

The cherry blossoms in Washington state make for scenic Seattle springs.

Cherry tree in bloom and people jogging, bicycling and walking on Azalea Way footpath in Washington Park Arboretum; Seattle, Washington.
Cherry tree in bloom and people jogging, bicycling and walking on Azalea Way footpath in Washington Park Arboretum; Seattle, Washington.Greg Vaughn/VW PICS/Getty Images

The emergence of the trees' bright-pink flowers mark the end of the Pacific Northwest's gloomy winters.

Read the original article on Insider