From above, East Lake Cherry Blossom Park in Wuhan, China, looks like a soft lilac cloud settled gently over the land. Thousands of cherry trees bloom at once, their pale petals forming a living canopy around a golden five-storey pagoda at the park's heart. The pagoda rises in calm symmetry, its tiered rooflines glowing against the delicate pastels of spring.

This garden is part of the larger East Lake Scenic Area, China's largest urban lake park, and has become one of the country's most celebrated places to see cherry blossoms. Many of the trees trace their roots to periods of contact between China and Japan during the 20th century, reflecting a history shaped by cultural exchange and more difficult chapters.

The park contains more than 10,000 cherry trees representing over 30 varieties, including Somei Yoshino and weeping cherries, planted in a landscape inspired by Japanese garden design. For a brief time each spring, nature and design meet here in perfect balance.