Tianjin showcases cultural heritage at horticultural expo

BEIJING - The beauty of Tianjin was the focus of a special three-day promotional event at the ongoing International Horticultural Exhibition in Beijing from Sunday, dazzling visitors with the unique qualities of the Chinese coastal city.

A host of cultural activities were held for the whole family to demonstrate to visitors what makes the city of Tianjin so special.

Children from Tianjin Huoyuanjia Civil and Military School in the city's Jingwu town, the hometown of renowned Chinese martial arts master Huo Yuanjia, welcomed visitors with performances and skilled demonstrations.

"I feel very proud that performances with Tianjin elements are being seen on the international stage, and I am even more proud to be part of it," said Zhao Na, a Tianjin resident whose son participated in a Peking Opera performance during the event, called Tianjin Day.

Meanwhile, inheritors of intangible cultural heritage from Tianjin such as Yangliuqing woodblock printing and folk clay figurine making, demonstrated their techniques.

"Tianjin Day perfectly presents the beauty of Tianjin culture, and I will definitely travel there with my family," said Liu Yanhong, a visitor from northern China's Hebei province.

Exciting development projects in areas of horticulture, agriculture and tourism were also detailed to guests as well as potential investors.

"Tianjin Day showcases a cultural carnival with elements from Tianjin to visitors from around the globe," said Duan Yimin, vice chairman of the Tianjin Sub-council under the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade.

China's 31 provincial-level regions, as well as Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, will showcase their unique cultural elements at outdoor exhibit areas during the 162-day International Horticultural Exhibition.

Highlights include a giant panda-themed garden set up by Southwest China's Sichuan province, miniature Mogao Grottoes by Northwest China's Gansu province and a model of an ancient Tibetan village house by Southwest China's Tibet autonomous region.

Nearly 2,500 cultural activities are expected to be held throughout the exhibition.

"These cultural activities are being organized by more than 60 countries and international organizations, making the expo a great platform for showcasing diverse cultures across the globe and showing the harmony between humans and nature," said Wang Hong, vice-mayor of Beijing.

The expo, the world's largest of its kind, opened to the public on April 29 at the foot of the Great Wall in the capital's Yanqing district and will last until Oct 7. It is expected to attract an estimated 16 million visitors from around the world.

Exhibitors from 110 countries and international organizations are displaying their gardening culture and green lifestyles at the expo.

There are both indoor displays and outdoor gardens, highlighting the integration of life and ecology.

The Beijing expo welcomed more than 320,000 tourists during the past four-day May Day holiday.

"The expo will serve as a platform for participating countries to showcase their distinctive cultures while providing opportunities for further cooperation in horticulture and agriculture," said Jiao Yutong from the Beijing International Horticultural Exhibition Coordination Bureau.

Xinhua

(China Daily 05/09/2019 page17)