The Chinese Rose Culture Festival (hereinafter referred to as the "Festival") commenced on May 12 and is scheduled to run until June 18.

Nabowan Chinese Rose Culture Industrial Park in Daxing District, Beijing, is currently showcasing 100 varieties of Chinese roses (Rosa chinensis Jacq.) from Beijing, Tianjin, and Hebei. As Beijing's city flower, Chinese rose is widely reputed as the "Queen of Flowers", embodying beauty, friendship, and peace. This year, the Chinese Rose Culture Festival will present over 3,000 varieties of this iconic flower to the public, with approximately 400,000 roses planted in eight themed exhibition areas.

This year's Festival is centered on a Chinese rose variety known as "Shou Shan Zhi Hua" (which literally means "Flower of First Goodness"). This variety is classified as a hybrid tea rose. The character "Shou" denotes the superior or utmost degree, while "Shan" signifies goodness. "Shou Shan" therefore refers to the best, signifying the efforts of urban horticulturists made to cultivate the best rose varieties and enhance the beauty of Beijing through independent innovation.

During the Festival, Beijing also launched the first Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Chinese Rose Invitational Tournament. The competition includes three categories, including self-bred roses, potted roses, and penjing (Chinese bonsai) and topiary roses. A total of 21 enterprises, research institutions, and social organizations participated in this event. Visitors have the opportunity to view the prize-winning Chinese roses at the Nabowan Chinese Rose Culture Industrial Park in Beijing.

Features of the Eight Exhibition Areas

1. China National Botanical Garden (North Garden): The Chinese Rose Garden there is home to numerous exhibition zones, including the New and Excellent Variety Demonstration Garden and the David Austin Rose Garden, where more than 1,000 varieties types and over 50,000 rose plants are displayed.

Duration: May 13 - June 11

2. Tiantan (Temple of Heaven) Park: Visitors can appreciate the beauty of over 300 different varieties including Rosa odorata and Floribunda, with a total of more than 8,000 plants. During the exhibition, the park will also host cultural events related to the rose culture of the Temple of Heaven.

Duration: May 13 - May 21

3. Beijing Garden of World's Flowers: This garden has over 150 different varieties of Chinese roses, with 5,000 plants of roses blooming across the park. These varieties include hybrid tea roses, climbing roses, Floribunda roses, and miniature Roses.

Duration: May 13 - May 28

4. Beijing Garden Expo Park: Beijing Garden Expo Park's rose garden has about 120 distinct varieties of roses, with a total of 60,000 rose plants. Recently, several exquisite and rare roses have also been introduced to it, displaying magnificent hues and full-shaped petals.

Duration: May 15 - June 13

5. Beijing Huaxiang Park: The park is home to more than 60 unique species of Chinese roses, presenting an impressive display of over 100,000 blooming plants that range from miniature roses to topiary ones. Besides the dazzling floral exhibition, visitors can also capture instagrammable snapshots at various picturesque spots in the park. Additionally, there are cultural activities available, including traditional Chinese music performances, photo opportunities in Hanfu attire, and camping activities on the lush green lawn.

Duration: May 15 - June 15

6. World Rose Theme Park: This theme park served as the leading site for the opening ceremony of WFRS Regional Convention 2016 opening ceremony. It showcases an extraordinary collection of over 1,700 rose varieties and 70,000 roses. Located in northern China, it is considered one of the largest rose gardens in the region. In 2018, the park was granted the Award of Garden Excellence by the World Federation of Rose Societies (WFRS).

Duration: May 18 - June 18

7. Nabowan Rose Culture Industrial Park in Beijing: The park has established a Chinese rose production base spanning over 2,000 mu (133 hectares), with an annual output of 15 million plants, cementing its position as the foremost Chinese roses production and export base in Beijing. Besides Chinese roses, the park also offers new and exceptional varieties of roses, rugosa roses, Chinese roses for gifts, and other rose-based products.

Duration: April 26 - June 15

8. Meigui Qingyuan Garden in Caijiawa Village, Miyun District: This garden is adorned with 130,000 rose plants spread over 100 hectares, featuring an impressive mix of Climbing Roses, Floribunda Roses, and more than 10 varieties of herbs.

Duration: May 25 - June 10

(Source: Beijing Daily App)