China Focus: Ancient Chinese capital opens modern gardening expo
Baku, April 28 (AZERTAC). Xi`an, the provincial capital of northwest China`s Shaanxi Province, opened a major international horticultural expo on Thursday as it seeks to promote its history as one of China`s ancient capitals.
This marks the third time for a Chinese mainland city to host a horticultural event of this scale. Over the past 12 years, two similar expos have been held in the cities of Kunming and Shenyang.
Visitors to the Xi`an International Horticultural Exposition can feast their eyes on abundant flowers and diverse gardening styles from the country`s different regions, as well as get a taste of Xi`an`s cultural and historical legacy.
The expo is taking place on Guangyun Lake in the city`s eastern Baqiao district, which used to be one of ancient China`s key seaports. Historical records show that during the Tianbao Period of the Tang Dynasty (742-756 AD), when Xi`an was known as Chang`an, Chinese emperor Tangxuangzong organized a large-scale international trade exposition in the city. Organizers claim that this was one of the first international expositions in history.
"Over a thousand years later, Guangyun Lake welcomes another grand gathering, the World Horticultural Exposition, which has continued this time-honored tradition from Tang`s Chang`an to the modern Xi`an," said Jiang Zehui, chairman of the China Flower Association.
Shaanxi Province vice governor Yao Yinliang said the province was one of the first regions of China to be seen by the rest of the world, adding that the famous "Silk Road" started in the city of Chang`an, which served as ancient China`s capital for more than 1,200 years and 13 dynasties.
An opening ceremony was held Thursday morning near the Chang`an Tower, a Chinese-style pagoda that serves as one of the city`s landmarks.
The design of the tower was based upon the characteristics of pagodas built in the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD), a period during which China made great cultural, political and economic achievements.
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