No, this is not Japan. It's Meghalaya, painted pink by the Cherry Blossom Festival

Meghalaya is all pink, thanks to cherry blossoms.

If you enjoy cherry blossoms, this is the ideal time of the year to visit Shillong, Meghalaya's capital. (Credit: Twitter/@NomadsShillong) 

Cherry blossoms usually herald the arrival of spring, and are a common sight in Japan in the months of March and April. (Credit: Twitter/@amarik)

These light blooms, known as "sakura" in Japanese, represent spring, since it is a season of renewal. However, because the blooms are temporary, they also represent the fleeting aspect of existence. (Credit: Twitter/@amarik)

In Meghalaya, however, these cherry flowers bloom in autumn and stay till about mid-November -- a little different from the rest of the world.

Every year, Meghalya organises an autumn festival to celebrate the advent of the cherry blossoms. Sightseeing, picnics, music festivals, and literary events are all part of the festival. (Credit: Twitter/@amarik)

In August this year, Meghalaya's Chief Minister Conrad Sangma launched the Meghalaya Autumn Calendar for the festival. The Cherry Blossom Festival 2022 began today, November 17, and will run till November 26. (Credit: Twitter/@Szarita Laitphlang)

The festival began with the Road to Cherry Blossom, a multi-city pre-festival package of events that took place from October 15 to 29 in cities spanning India, Thailand, and Malaysia. (Credit: Twitter/@Szarita Laitphlang)

In India, you can also spot cherry blossoms in Sangla and Thanedar, Himachal Pradesh. However, the cherry blossom season in Himachal is usually spring.