Cherry blossoms at the Donghu Lake Cherry Garden in Wuhan, Central China's Hubei Province Photo: VCG

Based on statistics from the Wuhan exit-entry border inspection authorities, Wuhan Tianhe International Airport in Central China's Hubei Province recorded 11,600 foreign entries and exits in the first 17 days of March, a 23.83 percent increase from the same period last year, Hubei Daily reported on Wednesday.

The majority of these travelers hailed from South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, the US, and Japan. Notably, 4,200 of them entered Wuhan visa-free, reflecting a staggering 158.83 percent year-on-year increase. Over 60 percent of these visitors cited tourism as the primary purpose of their visit, the report said. 

With Wuhan in the thick of the cherry blossom season, international travelers flock to the city not only to enjoy its romantic floral atmosphere, but also for its stunning landscapes and rich cultural heritage. 

Wuhan University has long been renowned for the cherry blossoms that adorn its campus each spring. Li Ying, a postdoctoral researcher at the university, told the Global Times that as of Thursday, some cherry blossoms have already started blooming on campus, and more are expected to blossom over the weekend.

"The campus has been crowded with visitors and reservations have begun. The daily slots of visitor reservations are snapped up within seconds, including spots for foreign tourists," said Li.

'Humanistic ambience'

Boasting more than 3,000 cherry blossom trees, Wuhan University is one of the most popular spots in Wuhan for cherry blossom viewing. 

In March, cherry blossoms' white and pink petals blanket iconic campus sites such as the library, the Kunpeng Plaza and the administration building, creating a picturesque scene. Stretching a total of 600 meters, the university's cherry blossom avenue is the most photogenic spot on campus and it is known to attract both students and visitors from home and abroad. 

To balance tourism and academic activities, the university has implemented a smart floral viewing system with real-name registration, intelligent navigation, and online booking. A daily reservation cap of 20,000 visitors on weekdays and 40,000 on weekends has been set to manage the influx of tourists.

Zhong Tingting, a visitor from Shiyan, Hubei Province, shared her experience to the Global Times: "Viewing the cherry blossoms would not be special to me if it is not in Wuhan University. Here, the flowers and architectures create a special humanistic ambience." 

Li also recommended several cherry blossom viewing spots outside of Wuhan University, including Donghu Lake, Hankou Jiangtan Park, Mulan Yunwu Mountain in Huangpi district and the Qingchuan Pavilion.

On Tuesday, a 2025 blossom tour kicked off at Donghu Lake Cherry Garden in Wuhan. 

The park boasts more than 80 varieties and thousands of cherry blossoms. Each spring it transforms into a breathtaking sea of pink and white.  

Beyond cherry blossoms, Wuhan offers other attractions during the spring season. Li suggested visiting Yellow Crane Tower, Jiefang Park, and the Wuhan Botanical Garden of the Chinese Academy of Sciences during the tulip season (usually from April to May).
 
New explorations

In addition to its focus on flower viewing, the city has actively promoted touristic IP-focused projects such as "Cherry blossom + sport" and "Cherry blossom + food culture," creating events such as cherry blossom marathons and a popular event called "Brewing Sakura Wuhan." 

During the event, more than 100 local coffee shops across Wuhan collaborate with the city's cherry blossom sightseeing destinations to provide visitors with a city walk that includes coffee and floral viewing. An array of beverages made using cherry blossom flowers were also launched by many shops as a springtime limited edition. 

"Traditionally, Wuhan is mainly known as an important transportation hub, but the cherry blossoms have given the city a new cultural character," cultural policy expert Song Weiping told the Global Times.

Since the 1950s, Wuhan University has been planting cherry blossom trees on campus, according to the Chutian Metropolis Daily.

As of 2024, Wuhan had been home to over 500,000 cherry trees distributed across 161 viewing spots. With more than 100 parks throughout the city, nearly all feature cherry blossoms, making Wuhan a premier destination for flower appreciation, thepaper.cn reported.

Jiang Xiwang, a professor at Jianghan University in Wuhan, has studied cherry blossoms for 38 years and witnessed the cherry blossom tourism boom in Wuhan in recent years. 

The value of cherry blossoms is no longer limited to mere appreciation. They now adorn the city and have become a valuable industry, Jiang told the Changjiang Daily.

Currently, more than 20 inbound tour groups explore the province's floral beauty every day. In March, events including Wuhan Marathon will also take place, further fueling the growth of Hubei's tourism market amid the enchanting cherry blossom season.