I always have to go to see the cherry blossoms 🌸 at Yuantouzhu in Taihu Lake at least once in spring. After yearning for it for so long, I finally went to check it off my bucket list this year!
As one of the world's top three cherry blossom viewing spots, it's really worth it. Taihu Lake is picturesque, with sailboats, cherry blossoms, pavilions and towers, making for great photo opportunities. Among the cherry blossom viewing spots in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shanghai, Yuantouzhu is truly among the best.
Every year during the cherry blossom season, it's really crowded here. So, I'd like to share my cherry blossom viewing guide, which can help avoid crowds and enhance the experience‼️
👉Taihu Lake Yuantouzhu
📍Location: No. 1 Yuanzhu Road, Binhu District, Wuxi City, Jiangsu Province
🚇Transportation: 2 hours' drive from Hangzhou, take the high-speed train to Wuxi Station and then take a taxi to No. 17
🌸Bloom Time: Late March
💰Ticket Price: 90 yuan/person during the day, 115 yuan/person for night cherry blossoms
⚠️Check out the travel guide below:
Recommended route for cherry blossom viewing: Chongshan Gate - Changchun Bridge - Sakura Valley - Viewing Cherry Blossom Tower - Jiangnan Orchid Garden - Yuanben Cao Wan - Changchun Bridge Night Sakura
🌟Must-visit spots for photos:
1⃣ Viewing Cherry Blossom Tower
The landmark building of Yuantouzhu, located in the Sakura Valley. The cherry blossoms here are the most dense. Climbing to the top of the tower, you can overlook the cherry blossoms all over the mountain, like a pink cloud.
2⃣ Sakura Valley
The cherry blossoms here are numerous and dense, and the area is large. It's recommended to spend half a day here.
3⃣ Changchun Bridge
It's more crowded here, so it's recommended to go early in the morning. The ancient style is very photogenic, especially for Hanfu photos. You can take photos of the sunset and night views in the evening, which are beautiful.
4⃣ Yuanben Cao Wan
There are a few super-large cherry blossom trees along the water's edge, and the photos here are really amazing. Plus, there aren't many people here.
If you have plenty of time, you can take a boat ride to enjoy the cherry blossoms at the Taihu Lake Cruise Terminal. There are daytime and nighttime boat rides available.
👉Boat route: Taihu Lake Cruise Terminal - Changchun Huayi - Juqu Scenery Area - Yuanzhu Chuntao - Baoyuan Wuyue - Feiyun Ge - Wanlang Bridge - Taihu Lake Cruise Terminal
✅Food, Drink, and Accommodation
👉Staying at the Sakura Mountain Villa inside the scenic area is a great choice, but it can be difficult to secure a booking during cherry blossom season. Staying inside allows you to enjoy the deserted scenic area in the early morning.
👉There are many snack stalls and restaurants within the scenic area. During the day, you can explore and try various snacks, as well as the exclusive cherry blossom ice cream and Chinese-style desserts. In the evening, you can dine at Hengyun Restaurant for Taihu Lake cuisine, which is a longstanding favorite.
Take advantage of the cherry blossom season and come here to experience a romantic cherry blossom feast!