Spring breaks

The Yangminshan flower festival (February 20-March 22) in Taipei started a little earlier than anticipated this year Photograph: Dan Chung/Guardian

Around a quarter of the 2,400 cherry blossoms on display bloomed early due to unusually warm temperatures, according to The China Post Photograph: Dan Chung/Guardian

Around 40,000 visitors turned up to see the blossom over the Valentine's weekend Photograph: Dan Chung/Guardian

This is despite the fact that the trees and temperatures are closely monitored to predict the emergence of the blossom Photograph: Dan Chung/Guardian

Cherry blossom festivals have been celebrated for centuries in China, Japan and Tawain, a symbol of spring’s arrival for the winter-weary Photograph: Dan Chung/Guardian

The social phenomenon of flower viewing started in China Photograph: Dan Chung/Guardian

The imperial households, poets, singers and other aristocrats would gather and celebrate under the blossoms Photograph: Dan Chung/Guardian

These days, miliions use the opportunity to have picnics and parties Photograph: Dan Chung/Guardian

The Yangmingshan flower festival in Taipei attracts around 2 million Taiwan visitors each year Photograph: Dan Chung/Guardian