Explore international floriculture at GBA Flower Show
For Shenzheners, viewing flowers is an entertainment that never goes out of style. Strolling through a flower show has become part of the residents’ lives. The Greater Bay Area (GBA) Flower Show, an annual fixture that enjoys equal popularity with the city’s time-honored rose show, bougainvillea show, lotus flower show, and crythathemum show, is an occasion to experience floriculture from home and abroad.
The 10-day show, which is being held through April 17 in its main venue at the Fairy Lake Botanical Garden in Luohu District and at its subvenue in Xiangmihu Flower Wonderland in Futian District, displays works by 80 exhibitors from 13 countries and regions including Australia, Britain, France, Japan, South Korea and the United States.
With a total exhibition area to over 22,500 square meters, this year’s show features 22 gardens in eight exhibition areas with more than 1,000 new flower varieties on display at its main venue.
The international gardens are among the most popular exhibition areas. The number of international gardens on display this year has reached a new high, with a total of nine gardens designed by famous overseas gardening masters from six countries.
From the romantic “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” by Sarah Eberle, the dynamic “Butterfly Dance” by Jihae Hwnag and Sungyon Ahn, the exotic “The Henna Garden” by Quintin Davidson, to the tranquil “Eden to Zen” by Haruko Seki, these gardens interpret the theme of this year’s show,“Flowers and Dreams”in their own creative ways and reflect the designers’ understanding and perception of flowers and dreams, as well as of nature and life in different cultural backgrounds.
At the main venue, there are also camping areas, coffee shops and flower stalls to enrich the visitors' experience.
①Fairy Lake Botanical Garden
Add: 160 Xianhu Road, Liantang Subdistrict, Luohu District (罗湖区莲塘街道仙湖社区仙湖路160号仙湖植物园)
Opening hours: 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
Tickets: 15 yuan per adult; 5 yuan per minor. Before visiting, one must book a ticket to the Fairy Lake Botanical Garden via its official WeChat account (szbgac) and choose when to arrive.
Metro: Line 2 to Xianhu Road Station (仙湖路站), Exit C2 (There is also traffic control on roads around the Fairy Lake Botanical Garden during the flower show. Visitors are encouraged to take public transportation.)
②Xiangmihu Flower Wonderland
Add: At the intersection of Hongli Road West and Xiangmihu Road, Futian District (福田区福田区红荔西路与香蜜湖路交汇处香蜜湖·四季花谷)
Tickets: Free
Metro: Line 7 to Nonglin Station (农林站), Exit C
“A Midsummer Night’s Dream” by U.K. designer Sarah Eberle. Inspired by William Shakespeare’s namesake play, the garden is designed to make people think about nature. It won the Best Garden Award at the opening ceremony of the show. Photos by Sun Yuchen except otherwise stated
“Pause” by Australian designer Christian Troy Jenkins. The designer said this Asian-style garden is for people to take time out with friends, family and loved ones. Courtesy of Fairy Lake Botanical Garden
“Inside but Outside” by French designer Pierre-Alexandre Risser. This is a ecological garden to help visitors better understand the circle of life, according to the designer. Courtesy of Fairy Lake Botanical Garden
“The Henna Garden” by British designer Quintin Davidson. Inspired by the Arab region’s traditional gardens for receiving guests, the garden integrates traditional elements with a modern style. Courtesy of Fairy Lake Botanical Garden
“Butterfly Dance” by South Korean designers Jihae Hwnag and Sungyon Ahn. When seen from above, the garden resembles a dancing butterfly. The garden is designed to highlight the importance of Shenzhen and its Mt. Wutong in the global ecology, the designers said. Courtesy of Fairy Lake Botanical Garden
“Eden to Zen” by Japanese designer Haruko Seki. It is a spiritual garden for people to rest their souls, according to the designer. Courtesy of Fairy Lake Botanical Garden
“Finding Balance Through the Urban Lens” by U.K. designer Andy Smith-Williams. The garden explores ways to adorn urban spaces with plants, according to the designer. Courtesy of Fairy Lake Botanical Garden
“The Cabin” by U.K. designer Matt Keightly. Looked at from the outside, the garden resembles a small forest. It is designed to tell visitors that human and nature are closely bonded, according to the designer.
“Roundabout” by U.S. designer Susan Cohan. The garden is for people to find a moment of relaxation and healing in their busy lives, according to Cohan.
More photos of the Greater Bay Area Flower Show:
More than 1,000 varieties of flowers are on display at the show.
A floral installation at the flower show.
A corner of the Greater Bay Area Flower Show.
A bird's-eye view of part of the Greater Bay Area Flower Show.
A floral installation called "The Beginning of a New Journey Ahead" by the Hong Kong exhibitors is seen at the Greater Bay Area Flower Show.
A bird's-eye view of part of the Greater Bay Area Flower Show.
A floral installation on water at the flower show.
A floral installation at the flower show.
Visitors stroll at the Greater Bay Area Flower Show.
The Hydrangeas Garden of the Meditation in Gurgling.
Floral installations at the show.
Tulips are seen at the flower show. More than 1,000 new flower varieties are displayed at the main venue of the show.
Hydrangea, a flower variety from Japan, on display at the show. Through the flower show, Shenzhen plans to introduce 100-odd new types of flowers to the city's parks.
Rhododendrons, the theme flower of this year's show, are in full bloom.
Visitors stroll at the Greater Bay Area Flower Show, which opened at the Fairy Lake Botanical Garden in Luohu District on Saturday. Xinhua
A primary school student draws at the flower show. Xinhua
Overseas visitors take an interest in flowers displayed at the show. Xinhua
Visitors take photos at the Greater Bay Area Flower Show.