Turtle Head Isle in East China's Wuxi city was full of the joy of spring on March 28 as thousands of visitors gathered on the picturesque island for the start of the Wuxi International Cherry Blossom Week.

The event has been held every year since 2014, and is designed to promote peace, friendship and cooperation between China and Japan.

The Turtle Head Isle abutting Taihu Lake in southwest Wuxi is dotted with more than 30,000 cherry trees, most of which have been in full bloom during late-March. [Photo provided to China Daily]

The stars of the show each year are Turtle Head Isle's 30,000 cherry trees, which burst into bloom in late-March. Many of the beautiful trees, which are prized in both Chinese and Japanese culture, were donated on the island by groups of Japanese visitors, whom have been coming to Wuxi to plant the trees as a gesture of friendship since the 1980s.

The festival kicked off with an opening ceremony at Turtle Head Isle's Cherry Blossom Valley, with representatives from the local government, Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, as well as a delegation from Japan in attendance.

Representatives from the local government and various NGOs attend the opening ceremony of the 2017 Wuxi International Cherry Blossom Week in Wuxi, Jiangsu province, on March 28. [Photo provided to China Daily]