The 2026 Shanghai Cherry Blossom Festival is set to captivate visitors at Gucun Park from March 9 to April 9. [Photo by Gao Erqiang/chinadaily.com.cn]
The 2026 Shanghai Cherry Blossom Festival is set to captivate visitors at Gucun Park from March 9 to April 9, offering a novel flower-following night cherry blossom experience.
Organized by the Shanghai Wusongkou Culture Tourism Investment (Group) Co Ltd and guided by the Shanghai Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism and the local government of Baoshan district, the festival will dynamically adjust lighting and open areas in sync with the blooming period, transcending traditional viewing limitations.
The 2026 Shanghai Cherry Blossom Festival is set to captivate visitors at Gucun Park from March 9 to April 9. [Photo by Gao Erqiang/chinadaily.com.cn]
During the early bloom from March 9 to 20, Gate 3 will welcome visitors until 9:30 pm. As the blossoms reach their peak from March 21 to April 9, Gate 2 will extend its hours into the night. Enhancing the nocturnal allure, a magical fantasy market will feature light shows, cherry blossom-themed delicacies, and cultural products, invigorating the night economy.
Spanning over 1,600 mu (106.7 hectares), Gucun Park is home to Shanghai's largest cherry blossom forest, boasting 120 varieties and more than 16,000 cherry trees. This year introduces new varieties like Somei Yoshino and Kawazu Cherry.
The 2026 Shanghai Cherry Blossom Festival is set to captivate visitors at Gucun Park from March 9 to April 9. [Photo by Gao Erqiang/chinadaily.com.cn]
The festival will host 12 themed activities and four supporting events. The Cherry Blossom Pass offers visitors benefits such as consumption discounts and free parking, integrating Baoshan's commercial resources.
Highlights include a cherry blossom costume show, an intangible cultural heritage fair, a special Shanghai opera performance, and a robot carnival, alongside public welfare events for World Autism Awareness Day.
The 2026 Shanghai Cherry Blossom Festival is set to captivate visitors at Gucun Park from March 9 to April 9. [Photo by Gao Erqiang/chinadaily.com.cn]
Marking its 10th anniversary and coinciding with International Women's Day, the women's 10km elite race will commence on March 8, featuring 3,800 runners.
The festival emphasizes accessibility, offering free electric vehicle transfers and wheelchair assistance for visitors with mobility challenges. A people-friendly ticket policy is in place: weekday tickets are priced at 20 yuan, night viewing at 10 yuan, with free or discounted tickets available for military personnel, seniors, and the disabled according to regulations.
The 2026 Shanghai Cherry Blossom Festival is set to captivate visitors at Gucun Park from March 9 to April 9. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
The 2026 Shanghai Cherry Blossom Festival is set to captivate visitors at Gucun Park from March 9 to April 9. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
The 2026 Shanghai Cherry Blossom Festival is set to captivate visitors at Gucun Park from March 9 to April 9. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
The 2026 Shanghai Cherry Blossom Festival is set to captivate visitors at Gucun Park from March 9 to April 9. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]