In the springtime, Yangpu is transformed into a romantic wonderland, adorned with beautiful spring blossoms. Jiangwancheng Road, stretching from Yinxing Road to Qingbo Road, is the first cherry blossom-themed municipal avenue in Shanghai and also the first road to practice the "non-sweeping of fallen cherry blossoms" approach. It is now in its most enchanting season. Yangpu has introduced the approach to preserve the poetic beauty of spring for our residents.

"Non-sweeping of fallen cherry blossoms" is not complete non-sweeping, but is a refined and meticulous cleaning approach that the Yangpu Bureau of Greening and Urban Appearance Management has been exploring and implementing since 2020. This year, the policy will be in effect from April 11 to 17. During this period, sanitation workers will manually pick up litter and conduct regular patrols to ensure cleanliness. Instead of sweeping away everything, they will only remove trash, allowing fallen cherry blossom petals to form a naturally woven "pink carpet". This not only retains the poetic charm of spring but also enables residents to fully experience the harmony of the city and nature.

"Every spring, I stroll down Jiangwancheng Road. When I see the ground blanketed with delicate pink petals, it feels as if I'd stepped into a romantic fairy tale," said Ms. Zhang, a local resident. "The approach to leaving the fallen cherry blossoms on the ground is truly wonderful. It enhances the beauty of the scenery and also makes us feel the warmth of the city."

"I used to think cherry blossoms were stunning when they were in full bloom. But once the petals started falling, the ground would look like a disaster zone. Not anymore! Now, the sanction workers just pick up the litter and let the petals stay so that we can enjoy the beauty of the fallen blossoms to our hearts' content," said Mr. Li, a local resident, could not top raving about this new way of keeping things tidy. "It shows that the city planners are very smart and care about what we want."

However, the "non-sweeping of fallen cherry blossoms" approach is not a rigid rule. A head of the Yangpu Bureau of Greening and Urban Appearance Management explained that they will adapt the detailed cleaning strategy depending on the weather forecast and how many flowers have fallen. In case of wind, rain or other circumstances, for public safety, the sanitation workers will make a thorough sweep up as appropriate to see that the road is smooth.

Friendly tip: Given the fickle weather these days, we suggest heading out on a clear, sunny day to fully appreciate the breathtaking beauty of the fallen cherry blossoms. Also, we kindly ask our fellow citizens to be mindful and respectful while enjoying the blossoms: keep the area tidy by not littering, and avoid shaking the branches. Let's join hands to preserve this special springtime romance!