The 2012 Shanghai Cherry Blossoms Festival has been scheduled in Gucun Park of Baoshan district from March 30 to April 28, one week later than the last year due to the extended cold weather.

In 2011, when the festival was first held, more than 700,000 people visited Gucun Park to enjoy the beauty of cherry blossoms - including 100,000 people on the day the flow of visitors peaked.

Because of the mass enthusiasm, the park expanded the area that is densely planted with cherry trees an extra 300 mu (0.2 sq km). The total size of the bloom-filled area has reached 500 mu of land.

Currently Gucun Park has more than 30 types of cherry, with blossoms in many hues: light red, pink, purple and white. The peak of the blooming period is around April 10.

The Shanghai Cherry Blossoms Festival welcomes visitors with more than 30 types of cherry. Li Xinzhu / China Daily