China’s 15th iteration of the International Garden Expo will welcome its first visitors on April 15 in the coastal city of Wenzhou, located in eastern China’s Zhejiang province, marking the first time the event has been hosted in this region. The official announcement of the opening timeline and event details was made during a press conference held this Wednesday, which also confirmed that general admission to the expo will be completely free for all visitors.
Among the standout exhibition spaces at this year’s expo is the Maritime Silk Road Cooperation Garden, one of dozens of international-focused garden displays that highlight cross-border cultural and ecological collaboration. Officials emphasized that the event has been developed in direct response to growing public demand for improved green public spaces and a higher quality of urban life.
Hu Zijian, director of the urban construction department under China’s Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, explained that the expo brings accessible green landscapes and park amenities directly to local communities. By expanding access to well-designed public green space close to residential areas, the event serves as a tangible implementation of China’s ‘people-centered city’ development philosophy, which prioritizes the well-being and daily needs of urban residents.