April is the ideal time to see the cherry blossom in east Asia (called Sakura in Japanese) and last weekend I ventured to Yuyuantan Park in Beijing to enjoy the warm weather and take a few snaps of the trees… unfortunately a considerable proportion of Beijing’s 14 million inhabitants also seemed to have the same idea! Whilst this somewhat spoilt the atmosphere it was still quite enjoyable and I took a few snaps as usual…
In China, cherry blossom is apparently the symbol of feminine dominance and beauty which seems an odd sort of combination but with around 2000 cherry trees from over 20 different species on display in the park, the latter can certainly be said to be true (I can’t figure out how any symbolism of dominance comes into it!).
Of interest nearby to the park also lies the China Central TV Tower (the tallest structure in Beijing) as well as the imposing China Millennium Monument which, even though it was built for the millennial celebrations (as you would imagine from the name), is about the most communist looking building imaginable!
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