Apr. 08. 2020

Cherry blossom season is a widely anticipated event in cities around the world, a sign that spring has arrived, an opportunity for people to get out and enjoy nature’s unrivaled beauty.

Right now, no city is more deserving of that message of hope and renewal than Wuhan, which has been under lockdown since January 23 due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Wuhan’s cherry blossom trees are in full bloom right now. One of the best places to enjoy them is Wuhan University, which is normally filled with cherry blossom admirers. This season, however, has been anything but normal. It’s nearly empty due to the ongoing lockdown, creating scenes of ethereal beauty.

Li Hao, a teacher living on the campus during the lockdown, captured stunning drone footage of the light pink blossoms.

“I believe that any disaster or challenge will eventually come to an end,” Li tells CNN. Just like these cherry flowers, sooner or later, they will always blossom.”

According to Chinese state media, over 1,000 cherry trees are scattered across the university campus. Some of the oldest were gifted to the city by Japan in the 1970s, when China and Japan established diplomatic relations.

Wuhan was the first Chinese city to be sealed off from the world as the virus began to spread. Two months later, the worst of the pandemic appears to have passed in the Chinese mainland and officials have announced they will lift the lockdown on April 8.

In the meantime, locals can take in the blossoms online. The university has set up numerous cameras around the campus, offering various views of the cherry blossoms in bloom on several Chinese apps including Taobao and WeChat.