In the city of Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu Province, Heping Park has been overtaken by a sea of pink and white as clusters of cherry blossoms bloomed, adding brightness to their surroundings. The flowers began to return to life on March 5, the same day that marked the start of jingzhe, the third solar term of the Chinese lunar calendar. Jingzhe, which means the "awakening of insects," is characterized by a rise in temperature and precipitation as well as the blooming of peach and cherry blossoms.

The cherry blossoms growing in Nanjing's Heping Park are a cultivar from Japan. Known for their early bloom period and hardiness to cold, this type of cherry blossoms is widely cultivated in different parts of China for people to enjoy the beautiful flowers as early as possible.

(All photos via VCG)

(If you want to contribute and have specific expertise, please contact us at nature@cgtn.com.)