A plan map of the Wuxi International Cherry Blossom Woods of Friendship. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Wuxi, reputed as the top destination in China for admirers of cherry blossoms, launched the Wuxi International Cherry Blossom Woods of Friendship at Huihaiwan Ecological Park, Xinwu district, on Sept 25.

Representatives from 10 sponsored international enterprises attended the ground-breaking ceremony and gathered cherry saplings.

Over 4,500 cherry blossom trees of 20 kinds have been planted at Huihaiwan Ecological Park and its surrounding areas. The to-be-built cherry blossom woods of friendship will include five sections providing visitors with a leisure park for flower-admiring, cycling and wetland experiencing.

Officials from Xinwu district said the Huihaiwan ecological park is expected to become another popular destination for people to admire cherry blossoms in Wuxi besides the famous Yuantouzhu scenic area.

Over 4,500 cherry blossom trees of 20 kinds are planted at Huihaiwan Ecological Park and its surrounding areas. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The history of cherry planting in Yuantouzhu can be traced back to the 1930s. Its Sino-Japanese Cherry Blossom Friendship Forest, one of the best spots to view cherry blossoms, was built by the city and a Japanese civic group in 1987. Today, over 10,000 Japanese have returned to forest to plant more trees, making Yuantouzhu a symbol of Sino-Japanese friendship.