The best places to view cherry blossoms - some much closer to home
Spring time is fast upon us, and our side of the globe is getting its famously pretty-in-pink makeover. For those of you planning your sakura-viewing schedule, it's time to get started - especially if you're hoping to catch the popular blooms in Japan.
For the rest, you'll be glad to know that Japan doesn't have the monopoly on cherry blossoms. There are plenty of other hotspots around the world - some much closer to Singapore - that will start bursting into pink at other times of the year, so start scheduling these places into your travel calendar.
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5. Chiang Mai, Thailand
When: End-December or end-January to mid/late-February
Cherry blossoms in Thailand? Yes, your eyes don’t lie. A prime spot to view the cherry blossoms is in Doi Inthanon National Park, the site of Thailand’s highest mountain at 2,565m. Siamese cherry trees bloom here during Chiang Mai’s colder months. The entrance fee is 300 baht (about $12) for foreign visitors, 150 baht for each child.
Another viewpoint is at the top of Doi Suthep, in the gardens of Khun Chang Kian Highland Agriculture Research Center. The centre also grows arabica beans, so grab a cup of coffee at one of the small stalls to accompany the view.
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