In less than 100 days, the International Horticultural Exhibition 2019 will welcome visitors in Beijing – and anthophiles can buy their tickets from now.
The five-month-long show, which opens April 29, will showcase the latest achievements in floriculture and farming.
On the outskirts of Beijing, construction of the exhibition area has entered the final stage. The main venues, including the semi-circular dome-shaped China Pavilion, and the International Pavilion that resembles an ocean of flowers, will flourish with some 100 indoor and outdoor gardens by the end of March.
Workers are putting the final touches to the colossal buildings reflecting the idea of green living.
The semi-circular dome-shaped China Pavilion features the style of Ruyi, symbolizing good fortune in the Chinese culture. /VCG Photo
Dong Hui, the director of the Overall Planning Department of Beijing International Horticultural Exhibition Coordination Bureau, said nature and ecology have been their priorities since the initial planning and design. She said they respected the existing natural landscapes and tried to maintain the stability and sustainability of the ecosystem.
The existing trees were preserved and used as highlights in the design, while over 100,000 trees and shrubs were planted.
The support structure inside the China Pavilion resembles a tree. /Photo via Beijing International Horticultural Exhibition Coordination Bureau
When spring returns to Beijing, green thumb enthusiasts will be able to see and learn about 1,200 kinds of plants at the event.
A record-breaking number of 86 countries and 24 international organizations are attending the event.
Jiao Yutong, an official with the organizing committee said all these countries echo with the theme of the expo "Live Green, Live Better" as well as Chinese President Xi Jinping's concept of ecological civilization and building a community of shared future for mankind.
A bird's-eye view of the Performance Center. /Photo via Beijing International Horticultural Exhibition Coordination Bureau
The event's exhibitors are not just treating the expo as a gardening show, but an opportunity for cultural and technological exchange. Throughout the expo, visitors can also enjoy more than 2,500 cultural activities.
Ralph Passer, a senior project manager of the German exhibition garden, said they are using a lot of wood for the structure and green screens during construction to showcase the diverse of range of vegetation in Germany. They intend to show the German way of life in terms of gardening, he added.
Upon completion, the entire expo area will become a botanical paradise and a new landmark in the city. Organizers believe it will continue to attract tourists from across the globe and boost development in this region that will also hold the upcoming Winter Olympics in 2022.
(Cover: Aerial view of the semi-circular dome-shaped China Pavilion. /Photo via Beijing International Horticultural Exhibition Coordination Bureau)