With the cherry blossom season coming, the annual Shanghai Cherry Blossom Festival kicked off on Saturday at the city’s Gucun Park. A total of 120 varieties of cherry blossom and more than 16,000 trees are expected to bloom in the park’s 1,600 acres of planting area. This year’s festival features nighttime viewing for the first time, offering visitors a special cherry blossom experience from 6 PM to 9:30 PM. A series of interactive activities under various themes, such as culture, handicrafts, tourism, sports and reading, will also be held at the park during the festival. The festival is scheduled to run until April 15. (Photos: Lu Ting/GT)