According to the Directorate of Hotels and Tourism (Shan State), the fourth Cherry Blossom Festival is scheduled to take place for five days in January 2025 in Loimwe, Kengtung Township, Shan State (East). The festival was first held in January 2022.

“The festival will be held over five days during the cherry blossom season. The exact dates will depend on the timing of the blossoms, so it is expected to be held in early January. Cherry trees were first planted in this area during the colonial era, and over generations, hundreds more have been added. As a result, the entire forest is covered with cherry blossoms during the season. Around 500 cherry trees were planted around 1990, and another 500 were planted between 2022 and 2023, bringing the total to over 1,000 cherry trees in the Loimwe area,” said U Htin Aung Naing, Director of the Directorate of Hotels and Tourism (Shan State).

The festival will feature traditional dance performances by local ethnic groups, music performances by local singers, and a market offering local products.

In Myanmar, Chin State and Shan State are home to the most cherry trees. In Loimwe, two types of cherry trees – sweet and bitter – bloom alternately, and the cherry blossom season lasts for about a month. Cherry blossom festivals are also held in other Southeast Asian countries, including Vietnam, and Thailand, and cherry trees are highly regarded in Japan.  

ASH/TMT

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