The year 2024 marks the 30th anniversary of the "1994 Xiaolan Chrysanthemum Fair." Recent reports indicate that the 2024 Xiaolan Chrysanthemum Fair will be held at the Xiaolan Chrysanthemum Garden from November 29th to December 18th, spanning a long period of time covering three weekends.
The main exhibition area for this year's Chrysanthemum Fair covers approximately 350 acres (with 50 acres of water area), showcasing 28 thematic chrysanthemum landscape displays, 15 floral borders, and over 1,000 varieties of chrysanthemums. The venue will feature eight major zones: chrysanthemum landscape zone, famous chrysanthemum collection zone, flower sea zone, cultural performance zone, cultural exhibition zone, food zone, creative market zone, and leisure open zone, allowing visitors to enjoy the chrysanthemum artistry and the fragrance of flowers. They can also listen to music, admire the performances, and take part in the markets to enjoy local cuisine.
The thematic chrysanthemum landscape has always been one of the most attractive elements of the Xiaolan Chrysanthemum Fair, and this year's displays are no exception. According to Xiang Jiandong, Director of the Xiaolan Town Public Communication and Cultural Service Center, the landscape area this year will feature two large installations: "Vatti's Auspicious Dragon" and "Lingding Hongbo Garden," as well as four themed gardens: Garden of Infinite Blossoms, Garden of Harmony Blossoms, Garden of Fortune and Grace, and Garden of Happiness and Love. A new "Blossoms by the Serene Lake" water feature display area will also be held, blending urban characteristics, intangible cultural heritage, zodiac elements, and chrysanthemum culture together. Notably, the 188-meter "Vatti's Auspicious Dragon" chrysanthemum art installation, owned by Vatti Group, is currently under review for a Guinness World Record in Shanghai; while the 1,400-square-meter Lingding Hongbo Garden serves as a large-scale installation in the theme of the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link, highlighting the significance of the extraordinary cross-sea project.
The famous chrysanthemum collection zone will display over 1,000 quality varieties of chrysanthemums on the shacks or stands, including chrysanthemums of special breeds, Dali chrysanthemum, bonsai chrysanthemums, cliff-side chrysanthemum, tree tower chrysanthemums, and high-mounted chrysanthemums. These displays will be complemented by poetry, calligraphy, and paintings featuring chrysanthemum themes, creating a rich cultural atmosphere.
The flower sea area spans approximately 20,000 square meters and primarily features chrysanthemums, designed in the shape of "Phoenix Feather" to resonate with the "Vatti's Auspicious Dragon" installation at the entrance square, symbolizing the "Dragon Mountain" and "Phoenix Mountain" of Xiaolan. This year, a scenic walkway will be added to the flower sea zone, satisfying visitors' desire to roam the sea of flowers. Additionally, a flower sea stage will be set up for romantic music concerts for the first time, allowing guests to indulge in music amid the fragrant atmosphere.
Furthermore, the food zone, creative market zone, and leisure open zones will feature a diverse array of cultural and tourism projects for visitors to experience. This year, the layout of food stalls will be optimized and expanded, with a focus on mid-range to high-end local delicacies from Zhongshan and Xiaolan, showcasing local renowned restaurants, famous feasts, prestigious chefs, and signature dishes. The promotion of local culinary culture will highlight specialties such as chrysanthemum feasts and crispy fish dinners, offering guests a vibrant chrysanthemum fair on the tip of their tongue. The creative market will host 40 stalls featuring cultural creations, souvenirs, and dried goods, showcasing distinctive Zhongshan tourism souvenirs, including a "Chrysanthemum City Gifts" section and edible chrysanthemum section that emphasize local specialties and creative products.
Source: Lingnan on the Cloud
