The 66th Guangzhou Chrysanthemum Exhibition opened on November 15, transforming Guangzhou Cultural Park into a 40,000-square-meter showcase of sports-themed floral displays and local horticultural traditions. The free exhibition runs through December 1, with extended evening hours on weekends.
This year's exhibition integrates elements of the 15th National Games, currently being hosted by Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao. Among the 12 major chrysanthemum displays, highlights include the incorporation of mascots from the National Games, while floral animals such as hippos lifting weights and leopards racing add playful energy. Another display features chrysanthemums arranged to resemble footballs, volleyballs, and badminton equipment.
The exhibition also showcases technical horticultural achievements. A towering chrysanthemum stands 1.8 meters tall, while layered "ball chrysanthemums" present spherical blooms in dense colors. Northern-style specimens from Kaifeng, including a 1.7-meter-tall bonsai chrysanthemum, are displayed alongside Lingnan varieties, illustrating a dialogue between China's northern and southern gardening traditions.
The chrysanthemum exhibition began in 1953 and is recognized as the oldest and largest of its kind in Guangzhou. Park officials adjusted cultivation schedules this year to align flowering peaks with the National Games.
Alongside the chrysanthemum exhibition, Shamian Island has launched its first Anthurium Flower Art Festival. The event fills the streets and historic buildings with hydrangeas, sunflowers, and bougainvillea, creating a vivid contrast with the area's European-style architecture. The Anthurium Flower Art Festival continues through November 21.
Author | Feng Huiting
Photo | Guangzhou Fabu
Editor | Liu Lingzhi, James Campion, Shen He
