Wenzhou's Garden Expo: Where Global Design Meets Green Ambition

WENZHOU, China – April 29, 2026 – The city of Wenzhou has unfurled a sprawling green carpet to the world with the grand opening of the 15th China International Garden Expo on April 15. Themed "Poetic Landscapes and a Shared Green Life," the premier event transforms 230 hectares of land into a vibrant showcase of landscape architecture, positioning the city as a crucial nexus for global environmental dialogue and cultural fusion.

Running until July 30, the Expo is more than a horticultural exhibition; it is a powerful statement of intent. By integrating traditional Chinese gardening wisdom with cutting-edge international design, Wenzhou is not only displaying breathtaking beauty but also demonstrating China's commitment to its national 'Ecological Civilization' strategy. The event has already proven immensely popular, drawing over 2.18 million visitors during its trial operation, signaling a strong public appetite for green, culturally rich public spaces.

A New Chapter for Wenzhou

For Wenzhou, a second-tier city in southeastern Zhejiang province long recognized for its dynamic private economy and manufacturing prowess, hosting the Garden Expo marks a significant evolution. While the city has a history of hosting international trade fairs for industries like optics and leather, this event elevates its profile onto the global cultural and ecological stage. It strategically "fills the gap of top-level garden Expos in southern Zhejiang," according to organizers, aiming to permanently enhance the city's international reputation.

This ambition is built on a solid foundation. Wenzhou is already a notable tourist destination, attracting nearly 47 million visitors in 2023 with its stunning natural landscapes, including the UNESCO Global Geopark Yandang Mountain. The Expo is designed to build on this appeal, converting its vast site into a permanent public asset after it concludes. This long-term vision seeks to cement Wenzhou's status not just as a place of commerce, but as a beacon of green urban living and international exchange.

A Tapestry of Global Gardens

The heart of the Expo's cross-cultural appeal lies in its 33 distinct exhibition gardens, including 11 designed by international teams from the UK, France, Italy, and the United States. These spaces serve as living laboratories for landscape design, where diverse philosophies meet.

One of the most unique is the Union County Garden from the USA, a collaborative project with faculty and students from Wenzhou-Kean University. Eschewing grand monuments, it focuses on the humble beauty of agriculture, featuring crops like corn and pumpkins that connect the landscapes of the American Midwest with the rural heritage of Wenzhou. It’s a garden that celebrates the everyday link between people and the land.

In contrast, the Milan Garden (Italy) brings a touch of high-concept European modernism with its interpretation of the "Vertical Forest" design, weaving architecture and nature into a seamless, upward-reaching aesthetic. The Liverpool Garden (UK) offers a different experience, using native plants and winding paths to recreate the wild, untamed charm of an English rural garden. A major highlight is the 3,500-square-meter Maritime Silk Road Cooperation Garden, which uses romantic belts of blue and purple flowers and a special spice exhibition to evoke the ancient trade routes that once connected China to the world, serving as a powerful metaphor for the cultural integration the Expo champions.

China's 'Ecological Civilization' in Practice

The Expo is a vibrant, large-scale manifestation of China's national doctrine of "Ecological Civilization." This guiding principle, which holds that "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets," has been a cornerstone of national policy, driving massive investments in afforestation, renewable energy, and pollution control. China's forest coverage has climbed to over 24%, and the nation now accounts for a quarter of the world's new green areas since 2000.

This commitment is formalized at the Expo through the "Wenzhou Declaration," a document released on opening day that advocates for people-centered urban development and environmental stewardship. The event itself strictly adheres to green principles, promoting low-carbon visits and sustainable management. It serves as a tangible example of the goals outlined in China's 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030), which prioritizes green development as a key feature of Chinese modernization.

By taking gardens as a medium, the event showcases how ecological restoration and urban renewal can go hand-in-hand, presenting a model for harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature that China is keen to share with the world.

A Lasting Legacy of Greenery and Growth

Beyond the three-month event, the Wenzhou Garden Expo is designed for permanence. Organizers have emphasized the principle of "one-time construction and long-term benefits," ensuring the site's future as a vital public resource. After July, the sprawling park will be transformed into a permanent public leisure space, complete with a botanical garden and other characteristic parks for residents and tourists to enjoy for years to come.

To ensure the Expo remains a dynamic destination throughout its run, a schedule of more than 600 activities—spanning cultural festivals, sports, art exhibitions, French wine tastings, and Italian opera performances—has been planned. These events infuse the gardens with life and foster continuous interaction among visitors from diverse backgrounds. Multilingual service desks and comprehensive digital guides via the official website and WeChat account are in place to ensure a seamless experience for international guests.

Ultimately, the Wenzhou Garden Expo stands as more than a collection of beautiful plants and pathways. It is a carefully cultivated platform for ecological diplomacy, a celebration of global artistry, and a lasting investment in a greener, more connected urban future for the city and a model for others to follow.