While it might not feel like spring already, given the fact that we’re spending most of our time indoors, it is officially the season of cherry blossoms in China. Before Wuhan became the epicentre of COVID-19 outbreak and the city was locked down, it was known for its spring cherry blossoms among other things. People would visit the capital of Hubei province to see the famed cherry trees in full bloom.
Wuhan University is one of the renowned places with over 1,000 cherry trees scattered across the campus and it used to attract thousands of visitors every year who visited during late March and early April to watch the trees in bloom.
But, since people are staying at home to self-quarantine, several Chinese media outlets decided to live stream the cherry blossoms at Wuhan University.
Photos taken on March 16 show spring scenery at the campus of Wuhan University in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province. Due to epidemic prevention and control works, the university organized a ten-day live broadcast to show cherry blossoms in spring. #HiChina #SeeChina pic.twitter.com/yErtniXhDn
— CCTV (@CCTV) March 17, 2020
They have installed cameras at scenic spots around the campus to give people the first-hand experience of this year’s cherry blossoms, reports South China Morning Post.
The live video feed started on Monday and is expected to be broadcasted for 10 days between 10 am and 4 pm.
Multiple pictures and videos of the cherry blossoms across China were also shared by people on social media:
Cherry blossoms gradually come out at Wuhan University. Since the campus is not open to the public due to epidemic control regulations, the University is sharing the amazing views via the internet from 10 am to 4 pm every day until March 25. #CherryBlossom #Covid_19 #China pic.twitter.com/IvGqI5Z9TH
— China Daily (@ChinaDaily) March 17, 2020
WOW… the cherry blossoms along the @inDowntownPDX waterfront are in full bloom and look spectacular! Usually crowded with photographers, it’s very quiet as people stay in. I happen to be working down here… I got ya covered #LiveOnK2 #pdxtst #StormHour pic.twitter.com/GmZqTY6XqI
— Mike Warner (@MikeKATU) March 17, 2020
Cherry blossoms are in full bloom in Guizhou Province, southwest China pic.twitter.com/6NKFqLxOe3
— Xinhua Culture&Travel (@XinhuaTravel) March 14, 2020
It's the most beautiful time of the year in #Wuhan when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom. Usually the city would be crowded with tourists but not this spring.#WuhanCoronavirusOutbreak #WuhanLockDown #China #CherryBlossoms #March #COVID2019 #CoronavirusOutbreak pic.twitter.com/k6JwbVQOkT
— Annu Kaushik (@AnnuKaushik253) March 16, 2020
Intoxicating cherry blossoms in a lush tea garden in Zhangping, East China's Fujian Province. https://t.co/lKobCrP46z pic.twitter.com/PqViGEwGBm
— Global Times (@globaltimesnews) March 19, 2020
As March braces the season of cherry blossoms, Wuhan University on Monday will launch a channel on social media to livestream the scenery of cherry blossom for flower appreciators. As a hard-hit city of #COVID19, Wuhan is still in lockdown for the virus containment. pic.twitter.com/zk3ZiJ4V5Z
— People's Daily, China (@PDChina) March 15, 2020
Aerial photos taken on March 12 show the scenery of cherry blossoms in Guian New District, southwest China's Guizhou Province. #HiChina #SeeChina pic.twitter.com/qWXr3oenyT
— CCTV (@CCTV) March 14, 2020
Flowers bloom, so does hope. As spring comes, cherry blossoms in southwest China's Guizhou are in full bloom https://t.co/I7L4LMCuXq pic.twitter.com/x3wJ3z3px8
— China Xinhua News (@XHNews) March 13, 2020
Cherry blossoms start to bloom in Wuhan University. Despite the COVID-19 epidemic gradually coming under control, the university remains closed to avoid a rebound in infections. pic.twitter.com/Qu8n188nCX
— China News 中国新闻网 (@Echinanews) March 18, 2020
China is currently the worst affected by the coronavirus pandemic. According to the Live Tracking Dashboard, a total of 81,154 cases have been confirmed. However, 70,535 people have already recovered from the virus. We just hope the cherry blossoms bring positivity and hope to the country at this crucial time.