By Anthony O’Neill
The Canadian Nursery Landscape Association (CNLA) was invited by Chengdu Radio and Television to the International Horticultural Producers Association’s (AIPH) approved Category B International Horticultural Expo in Chengdu, China. This event aimed to promote Chengdu’s horticultural industry to the world and saw participation from professionals and media groups from eight countries.
The Expo’s main venue, covering 128 hectares, highlights Sichuan’s heritage, culture, and landscape, emphasizing the theme “The Park City.” Chengdu, known as a Park City, integrates nature into urban development, aiming to place residents within nature. This innovative model features green spaces, like vine-covered highway pillars, reducing urban noise and pollution while enhancing aesthetics.
The Expo, open until the end of October, showcases both indoor and outdoor venues, celebrating arts, culture, technological and scientific advancements in horticulture, health, and wellbeing. It offers an array of activities, including gardening techniques, educational and career opportunities, and events geared towards children.
Visitors can explore multiple design disciplines, experiencing a blend of tradition and innovation. The Expo challenges conventional urban development ideas, with designs evoking familiarity and wonder.
A satellite venue in Pidu, a historic district in Chengdu, features a 3000-year history of flower cultivation dating back to the Qin and Han dynasties. Pidu is renowned for its bonsai and national orchids. The district dedicates over 770 hectares to flower and tree seedling production, boasting over 1000 varieties. Visitors to Pidu can explore the Flower Cube, showcasing stunning floral arrangements from around the world. This venue immerses visitors in the region’s rich horticultural heritage.
Known globally for its pandas and bamboo forests, Chengdu has now cemented its legacy in horticulture and gardening through this International Exposition. The Expo underscores China’s commitment to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), highlighting the importance of bringing nature closer to citizens.
The Expo features architectural designs inspired by plants and flower petals, blending function and form. This approach emphasizes that creating livable environments requires integrating history, culture, heritage, beauty, design, architecture, and infrastructure.
Visitors to the Expo will have a memorable experience with the combination of exceptional hospitality and a peaceful environment filled with greenery, floral arrangements and colours.
It was an honour for the CNLA to see and to help promote the Chengdu Expo. This event offers a unique opportunity to explore ancient bonsai, tranquil gardens, and exceptional cuisine, all while being warmly welcomed by the hosts. The Expo is a testament to Chengdu’s dedication to horticulture and offers a once-in-a-lifetime experience. On behalf of the CNLA and our gracious hosts in Chengdu, I encourage everyone to visit this top-class International Horticultural Exposition in one of the world’s most beautiful regions.
Sidebar:
Recently the Canadian Nursery and Landscape Association was invited to attend the International Horticulture Expo in Chengdu. This reminded your editor that many years ago, a delegation from Winnipeg travelled to Chengdu, China to formalize and celebrate our sisterhood. Indeed, Winnipeg is tied to 11 different towns in total – Chengdu, China; Lviv, Ukraine; Beersheba, Israel; Jinju, South Korea; Kuopio, Finland; Manila, Philippines; Reykjavik, Iceland; Taichung, Taiwan; Setagaya, Japan; San Nicolás de los Garza, Mexico; and Minneapolis, Minn.
Mayor Gillingham recently raised the issue of our 10 sisters as we celebrated our 150th year as a city at the Forks on July 7.
You may remember that Seven Wu and I tried to reignite a relationship with Chengdu when we organized the Lights of the North. Unfortunately, federal politics and COVID brought a temporary end to our plans. But good relationships with sister cities have many benefits. Steven and I will be discussing the possibility of re-opening the door. Stay tuned. Meanwhile, enjoy the background story produced by CNLA past president Anthony O’Neill, as he extolls the virtues of China’s “Park City”! Dorothy Dobbie
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