As the spring breeze sweeps through, petals fall like rain. At Shanghai Haiwan National Forest Park, late cherry blossoms as billowy as clouds have begun to drift down, laying out romantic "carpets of petals" across the grounds.

"I don't think I've ever seen cherry blossoms in such a vast expanse. Taking it all in at once is honestly breathtaking!" On the afternoon of April 8, a visitor lifted her phone along the park's cherry-blossom walk to capture the fleeting scene. Another visitor had a soft spot for the petals dancing on the wind: "Some of the trees have already put out new leaves, but when the breeze passes and the petals come scattering down, it has even more charm."

The park's cherry garden sits within its Culture and Expo zone, built around a lake amid elegant scenery. Across the 33-hectare grounds grow nearly ten thousand cherry trees, bringing together more than a dozen late-blooming varieties such as Kanzan, Fugenzo, Ukon, and Ichiyo. In early April, the different varieties came into bloom one after another, creating a long, layered display for blossom viewing. Now, as temperatures climb, fresh green buds are opening on the branches while fallen petals scatter across the ground, lending the scene a quiet, soothing beauty all its own.

According to staff member Wang Shuai, most of the late cherries have now begun to shed their petals, and this weekend will be the best window to take in their final display; visitors are encouraged to come while the fine weather holds.

In parallel, the peonies in the peony garden have quietly made their entrance, and a spring-flower "relay" is now under way. Alongside the drifting beauty of the late cherry blossoms, visitors can stroll over to enjoy the rich springtime colors of peonies in their many varieties.