Washington:2017 Guide to the Cherry Blossom Festival

The peak season for cherry blossom oriented tourism in Washington DC, United States is during the months of March and April. The city is also the most beautiful during this time. Cherry blossoms themselves are extremely beautiful; however, their blooming period is relatively short, roughly lasting about two weeks. Cherry blossoms are originally fine and delicate in appearance; however, cherry blossoms that have been transplanted to the US have comet possess a more robust and vigorous spirit due to the nourishment provided by the vast, fertile land. Each and every cherry blossom tree is in full bloom amid the bright sunlight of spring. Each cluster of blossoms, layer upon layer, is absolutely splendid, surrounding the treeing clouds of fragrance and filling the tree boughs with pink. Shedding their weak and delicate image, the cherry blossoms sway gently in the wind, illustrating flamboyant and dignified beauty.

Speaking of the history of cherry blossoms, it is necessary to look at the events of 1912. It was during this year that Tokyo's mayor, Yukio Ozaki, visited the United States and brought with him6,000 cherry blossom tree saplings ashes gift for the country. Of these 6,000saplings, 3,000 were planted in New York while the remaining 3,000 in Washington. Helen Herron Taft, the First Lady of the United States at the time, and the wife of the Japanese ambassador personally planted two of the earliest cherry blossom trees in the Tidal Basin. Following the transplantations, the first Cherry Blossom Festival was held in 1935 thanks to an organization of residents. Since then, Washington has carried on the tradition of hosting a national Cherry Blossom Festival every year from around the listen days of March until around the listen days of April in commemoration of the friendship between the United States and Japan.

The 2017 Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington DC is scheduled to run from March 20 until April 16. In addition to games, the Cherry Blossom Festival activities also include art exhibitions, boat rowing competitions, food tasting, and various other activities. Amongst the activities, the annual Cherry Blossom Festival Parade is definitely one you don’t want to miss out on. On this day, there are usually tens of thousands of people who dress up to take part in the parade. Furthermore, during this festival in a bright spring day, the chances of you running into someone famous are high; the festival includes performing arts, sports celebrities, and political figures.

The performers on the parade come from across America, including the cheerleaders from Harvard University, and police officers who race their cars for the audience. Colorful performances will be put on, during which you would get chance to meet the beautiful Cherry Blossom Princess.

Best Spots for Cherry Blossom Viewing

1. Tidal Basin

Tidal Basin is at the southwest of the National Mall. The Potomac River passes through Washington DC, and a part of the low-lying terrain around the river became what is known as the Tidal Basin. The scenery is elegant, the water is clear, the sky is azure, calm and serene. It is a place whose beauty has distinctive feel. The two trees which were planted by the lakeside by the First Lady herself have already spawned thousands of new trees which all sway with beauty in the wind. The Yoshino cherry blossoms of the Tidal Basin are large. They first bloom then produce leaves which make them excellent choices to view. Come to Washington DC during the 2017 Cherry Blossom Festival, and in the middle of such aesthetic scenery one feels as if they are within a painting. Across from the Tidal Basin is the tranquil and refined Thomas Jefferson Memorial. One can also go boating in the Tidal Basin.

2.Thomas Jefferson Memorial

The Jefferson Memorial is a 96-footwhite marble building built to commemorate the third president of the United States, Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson drafted the renowned Declaration of Independence, established the Democratic Party, and founded the University of Virginia. During his term of presidency, Jefferson doubled the land area of the United States through the Louisiana Purchase. Jefferson was a key figure as a Founding Father of the United States in both the theory and practice of the new born government. The Memorial Hall was designed according to the Roman shrine-style dome architecture of which Jefferson was very fond. A full-body statue of Jefferson, which stands nearly six meters tall, is at the center of the memorial hall. Every year during the cherry blossom season, the blossoms at the Tidal Basin next to the memorial hall are in full bloom. The petals float in the wind under the blue sky and the luminous water reflects the image of the memorial hall on its surface, creating both an elegant and charming piece of scenery. Being able to enjoy cherry blossoms by the lakeside while deciphering such a historic scenic spot is an extremely valuable travel experience.