It's been a while since my last travel adventure. The pandemic effectively cut off everything about my travel plans, so I have not posted any articles from an actual leisure trip in almost two years. 

However lately, while watching the travel vlog of Chinese heartthrob, Wu Lei (Leo Wu), who portrayed the irresistible Ashile Sun in the recently concluded C-Drama, The Long Ballad, on his recent outdoor cycling adventure to Qiandao Lake in Zhejiang province, China, I became interested in writing a travel feature again.

Although borders are still close and international travel for leisure is still off the table, we can actually start planning our next trip as early as now, set the budget and do some research on gorgeous places to visit.

Since I am kinda hooked recently to C-Drama (Chinese TV and web series), I am fascinated with the breathtaking scenery of the C-drama filming locations. And like most fanatics who became interested on a Korea travel after becoming addicted to K-drama series, I am also interested to explore the C-drama filming locations.

C-Drama filming locations

If you are frequently watching historical or costume series of C-Drama, you will notice the locations are mostly in tranquil villages, beautiful scenery, mountains, lakes and quaint towns that recreate the life of an old world.

Actually, most of it are just shot in China's two biggest film studios - Hengdian and Xiangshan Global studios. However, there are some instances when filming takes place in beautiful villages and mountainside. 

There are locations that are not just film studios, there are actually scenery. The production team sometimes will recreate actual atmosphere to suit the story. For example, The Long Ballad production team planted thousands of seeds to recreate a prairie or grassland and erected 2,000 tents to shoot the Ashile tribe scenes.

Most of the locations boast a breathtaking sight of nature, spectacular countryside scene, mountains, lakes and a bed of beautiful garden. 

1. Hengdian World Studios. Located in Hengdian, Dongyang, Zhejiang province. It is operated by Hengdian Group owned by Xu Wenrong and it is the world's largest film studio. One of the most popular tourist attractions in Asia with a recorded visitors of 20 million in 2019.

It recreates Imperial Palace buildings, pavilions. Around 70% of Chinese TV series and films are shoot in Hengdian studio. Even the K-drama, Empress Ki, was shoot there.

It has 21 filming lots spread across 30 square kilometers. The tour here not only for drama memories but also making each one's wildest film fantasies coming true.

The scene takes you back in time, to the ancient world of imperial dynasties of Qing, Sui, Ming, Tang and Qin as the area is filled with glittery palaces designed to recreate the atmosphere of the country's vivid past.

It has also a theme park called Dream Valley where visitors can watch plays, live shows and movies. One of its grandest buildings is the replica of the Imperial Palace building.

Popular films and TV series shot there are:

• Forbidden Kingdom (a blockbuster Jackie Chan and Jet Li film collaboration released in 2008)
• Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (Ang Lee film which won Best Foreign Film in the Oscar awards in 2001 starring Michelle Yeoh and Chow Yun Fat)
• Empress Ki (Korean historical drama)
• The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor
• Mulan (2020 Disney live action film starring Liu Yifei)
• More than 70% historical and costume C-Drama series are shot here. The Long Ballad, The Untamed, Legend of Fuyao, and many more.

Famous replicas in this outdoor film studio:

• Guangzhou Street and Hong Kong Street 
• The Palace of Emperor Qin
• Palace of Ming and Qing Dynasties
• Qing Ming Shang He Tu
• The Dream Bund
• New Yuanmingyuan
• Dream Valley

Entrance fee: 400 yuan per person. Operating hours: 8:00pm to 5:00pm

What to do at Hengdian World studio:

• Watch live cultural performances, shows and movies at night time at Dream Valley
• Experience an ancient costume dress-up just like the characters in historical films and series
• Stay in film set hotels
• Tour around the magnificent imperial palaces, princely pavilions and replicas of old oriental streets
• Dream bund area allows you to experience the old Shanghai

2. Xiangshan Global Studios. A film and television studio located in Xinqiao town in the Xiangshan county, Zhejiang province. Measured at 78,000 square meters or 194 acre, it is a popular location of C-Drama historical series and films, however a bit smaller than Hengdian world studios.

Most popular films and series shot here:

• The Return of the Condor Heroes
• The Legend of the Condor Heroes
• Nirvana in Fire
• Eternal Love: Ten Miles of Peach Blossom
• The Flame's Daughter
• The Longest Day in Chang'an
• Legend of Qin
• Chinese Paladin 3
• Sound of the Desert
• Journey to the West
• The Warrior's Gate (film)
• Sacrifice (film)
• The Four (film)

Year 2021. It's still the year of COVID-19 and not the year of travel and adventure. It's pretty awful to think but it seems our travel goals need another year of extension. It starts to piss me off but there's nothing the world could do but wait a little longer.

It's approaching April, the peak of springtime, and with it, the charming view of the Cherry blossoms rises to its glory. While we could not still travel out-of-the-country to see Cherry blossoms, now is the perfect time to start planning for a Cherry blossom travel someday.

In Asia, there are three countries known for its Cherry blossoms landscape at springtime: Japan, South Korea and Taiwan. 

The charm of Cherry blossoms

Why people are fascinated with Cherry blossoms? Perhaps due to its awesome hue that epitomizes happiness, romance and timeless beauty.

Visually-enticing, charming to the eyes and senses, and heartwarming, Cherry blossoms are the depiction of fantasy we all dreaming to visit. 

And while fantasy is only in a dream, we can at least make it coming true by viewing Cherry blossoms. Here are Asia's best destinations to witness this myriad beauty of pink, according to world travelers and travel bloggers.

Let's be tickled with pink!

JAPAN

Japan, no doubt, is the world's most popular destination when it comes to Cherry blossoms travel. It is part of the Japanese culture and its significant symbol of the spring season. 

Although Sakura trees are grown and cultivated around the world, none matches Japan's pandemonium of blush pink petals.

It's everywhere in the country, framing city canals, blanketing mountains and countryside with the sea of pink - and with it, the scenery of happiness and endless beauty of nature.

Japan is home to the finest Sakura trees in the world where spring time saw the whole country cloak in the charm of pink.

It's difficult to predict the peak of the Cherry blossoms season in Japan, however, most travel guide to Japan suggested March to April as the best time to travel to the land of the rising sun.

Where to experience the best of Cherry blossoms travel in Japan?

1. Kyoto - This ancient capital of Japan tops the list of best places to witness the charm of the Cherry blossoms season. The full blooming season starts in the middle of March and lasts until the mid-April.

In springtime, the imperial city of Kyoto transforms into a pink of paradise. Everywhere is filled with charming sights of the flowering Sakura trees. The grand palaces, ancient temples, ornate shrines. and traditional "machiya" houses clad in Cherry blossoms comes springtime.

Although all over Japan is cloak in pink with the stunning Cherry blossoms, Kyoto offers the most stunning scenery of the blooms. Head to the Kyoto imperial palace, Kyoto botanical park, Maruyama-koen park and Philosopher's path for the most thrilling cherry blossoms adventure.

2. Yoshino - A town in Japan's Kii Mountain, east of Osaka. It is the gateway to Mount Yoshino, known as the mountain covered with thousands of Cherry blossoms trees. It is Japan's most popular Cherry blossoms viewing point.

Cherry blossoms typically start in late March down to early April where the blooms reach its full beauty. Range of elevation varies so the blooming season is scattered by a couple of days between the Shimo (lower), Naka (middle) and Kami (upper).

Yoshimizu shrine, Kinpusenji temple and Nakasenbon park are the best spots in Yoshino to experience the best of the Cherry blossoms season.

3. Osaka - A bustling city of Japan famous for its authentic Japanese cuisine, Osaka is one of the country's best destination for Cherry blossoms experience.

Its famous landmarks - Okawa riverside, Osaka Castle, Kema Sakuranomiya park, Osaka Mint Bureau and Tsurumi Ryokuchi park - are famous backdrops of sakura trees where the surroundings burst into the sea of blush pink.

4. Lake Kawaguchi - It is located in the border of Fujiwaguchiko and Minobu towns in southern Yamanashi Prefecture. This lake shines the best of its charm during Cherry blossoms season.

It is where the view of Mt. Fuji, Japan's highest peak, can be best enjoyed. And its glistening beauty rises in springtime, especially in mid-April.

One of the nicest spots of Cherry blossoms viewing is at the seaside promenade near the Kawaguchi Music Forest. 

However, travelers are being warned that Mt. Fuji is not visible whole day at Lake Kawaguchi as clouds obstruct the view of the mountain, especially during hazy months. The best time to see its charm is in the morning and near afternoon.

5. Yoyogi Park, Tokyo - This 134-acre of massive cherry blossom trees and greenery is one of the most charming spots in Tokyo for a Sakura tree blooms viewing. It is famous for picnic-at-the-park during springtime.

6. Nakameguro, Tokyo - It is considered as the best neighborhood for Cherry blossoms viewing. Each springtime, between the last week of March and early April, its canal-like waterways are teemed with brilliant pink blooms. 

Highlight of the season is Nakameguro Sakura Festival where shops and restaurants sell Cherry blossoms-inspired items along the canal.

7. Shinjuku Gyoen - A huge park and national garden located in Shinjuku and Shibuya in Tokyo. It is home to more than 20,000 trees with approximately 1,500 varieties of Cherry blossoms, thus, the best spot to experience the Cherry blossoms viewing comes spring.

Shinjuku Gyoen is scattered in three different garden style. The French garden, the English garden and the Japanese-style garden. It is the best spot to experience the best of nature in Tokyo.

However, unlike other spots in Japan for a cherry blossoms viewing, Shinjuku Gyoen is not free. It has an admission fee and opens from 9:00 in the morning until 4:30 in the afternoon.

8. Hiroshima Ueno Park - Located in Shobara city in the Hiroshima Precture, Ueno park is famous cherry blossoms viewing spot. In spring, the Sakura blooms around the pond create a spectacular scenery of beautiful pink blooms.

SOUTH KOREA

Ever since the K-pop world makes a sweeping wave across the Philippines, Filipinos cannot get enough of South Korea. However, this country is more than K-dramas and K-pop idols. 

Apart from Japan, South Korea is a popular Asian destination for Cherry blossoms. And there are many spots in the country where travelers can witness the full blooms of Sakura trees in spring.   

1. Jinhae, South Korea

Jinhae-gu is a district in Changwon city, South Korea surrounded by mountains and pines and famous for its irresistible Cherry blossoms at Yeojwacheon stream and parks. 

It is at Jinhae port where the largest Korean spring festival takes place, the Gunhangje festival where Cherry blossoms are in full display. It is organized in the first week of April and visitors will have the best Cherry blossoms experience in the city of Changwon.

2. Gyeongju, South Korea

Cherry blossoms season in South Korea starts in late March and runs until the third week of April. This period offers the best of Cherry blossoms experience in this amazing country.

To enjoy the full blossoms viewing, travelers are advised to head to Gyeongju, the ancient Silla capital home to many historic sites.

During the Cherry blossoms season, Gyeongju has many festivals attributed to Cherry blossoms including marathon and performances. Gyeongju is accessible from Seoul through KTX train of express. 

The capital of South Korea is itself a myriad of beautiful things to see for travelers. It has century-old palaces, sublime gardens and skyscraping buildings. However, it's in its bustling streets that travelers see the eclectic beauty of Seoul.

In April, Seoul, celebrates the Yeouido Spring Flower Festival. Visitors can witness a myriad of Cherry blossoms beauty along the Hangang River. It's said to be filled with other eye-catching blooms such as forsythias, deutzia and azaleas.

Seoul Cherry blossoms viewing include fringe activities like street performances and fireworks. So if you want to visit Seoul in its finest beauty, consider visiting during springtime.

The beautiful spots in the city to see Cherry blossoms:

• Gyeongbokgung Palace
• National Palace Museum
• National Folk Museum of Korea
• Changyeongqung
• Seokchon Lake
• Insa-dong where cherry blossoms and traditional Korean houses give an aesthetic pleasure

4. Jeju island - known as the "Hawaii of Korea", the island lies in Korea strait. It's where the spring season comes first, thus, Cherry blossoms can be first experienced at Jeju island. During this season, Jeju island is teemed with Canola flowers and the magnificent Cherry blossoms.

Seongsan Ilchulbong Sunrise Peak, a UNESCO world heritage site, Hallim park, and Mount Sanbangsan, are the best spots to experience Cherry blossoms in Jeju island. Peak of Cherry blossoms season in Jeju island is between mid-March and early April. 

5. Busan - A cultural hub of South Korea and its second most populous city. Its beaming skyscraping buildings roll spaces between green mountains and beaches, while beautiful bridges span across the sea.

Busan is not only a beautiful place to explore the culture and modern life of South Korea, it is also a great spot to view Cherry blossoms.

Gamcheon cultural vilage, made up of colorful houses built on the foothills of a coastal mountain, made Busan a beautiful Cherry blossoms destination as this vibrant town transform into a village of timeless beauty with Sakura trees.

TAIWAN

While Japan and South Korea are the most popular destinations in Asia for Cherry blossoms at springtime, Taiwan is not far behind.

However, unlike Japan and South Korea, Taiwan has no specific forecast of the peak of the Cherry blossoms season.

Blossoming of its Sakura trees vary each year but generally, the best time to see Cherry blossoms in Taiwan is around January to early part of April.

Spots to make the most of Cherry blossoms experience in Taiwan

1. Alishan Forest Recreation - a mountaintop recreational area surrounded with lush forest and rolling tea farms. Famous for its spectacular sunrise and hiking trails, it is also a popular destination for Cherry blossoms travelers. It has a festival called Alishan Cherry Blossoms festival that runs between midway March and early April.

2. Qingjing Farm - Located in Nantou county, in a quaint Taiwanese town of Qingjing, the farm is famous for its picture-perfect view of Cherry blossoms.

There are beautiful scenic spots in Qingjing farm to view Cherry blossoms, at the Sakura trail and Guanshan trail. Best time to go: Middle of January to the middle of March.

3. Wuling Farm - Located in the Heping district of Taichung, Taiwan, Wuling Farm yearly organized a Wuling Farm Cherry blossoms festival between February and March. What makes this location uniquely different from other spots in Taiwan is that, it is home also to a sweeping 30,000 Cherry trees. So there's a lot more to see at this farm than just Cherry blossoms.

4. Wuji Tianyuan Temple - A stunning Taoist temple located at the foothills of Datun mountain in Danshui, just 30 minutes from Taipei city, so it's a bit accessible to travelers. 

It's one of Taiwan's best spots for Cherry blossoms viewing. What made it a beautiful travel destination at springtime is its breathtaking scenery. Cherry blossoms adorned the ornate 5-tiered pagoda and dozens of romantic lanes lined up with Yoshino cherry trees.