Nothing prepares you for the size of this event. Stretching from the plains to the mountains, every inch of the event space is packed with plants, beautiful architecture and of course, visitors. It feels as though all of China is here, reveling in the sunshine, sitting by the lake, or trailing through the pavilions. 

But it's not just about China. Everywhere you look, there are stalls selling world produce. You can drink German beer, then stroll through an English country garden, listening to the chimes of Big Ben. The expo sets itself apart as a first-class event. Its quality shines through everything from the ultra high-tech visitor gates to the carefully thought-out pavilions. It is China's way of announcing its new green initiatives to the world and inviting other nations to respond with theirs. It's not so much a Silk Road as it is Leafy Green Avenue.

As visitors ramble through the "world's gardens," sampling other foods and cultures, you can't help but feel the pull of good old-fashioned flower power. It might be just the thing to foster peace. After all, we have tried everything else.