Countdown begins for Chengdu Expo

Chengdu in Sichuan province holds a 30-day countdown on Wednesday for the International Horticultural Exhibition 2024 Chengdu. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Chengdu in Sichuan province held a 30-day countdown on Wednesday for the 2024 International Horticultural Exhibition, which is scheduled to take place in the city from April 26 to Oct 28.

The expo features one main exhibition, four parallel displays and some 2,000 activities.

The main venue is located at the Chengdu Eastern New Area, where the potential shape of park cities in the future will be showcased.

Four parallel exhibitions, themed around Sichuan-style bonsai, the flower industry, agronomy industry and biodiversity, will be held in the city's Wenjiang, Pidu and Xinjin districts, as well as Qionglai, a county-level city under the administration of Chengdu, according to a news conference held earlier this month.

The first batch of 10 "expo little reporters" participate in the countdown event. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

To offer tourists a better experience, the parallel displays will be free to visit. Meanwhile, the main exhibition will offer discounted tickets, allowing entry for as low as 60 yuan ($8.31) during the day and 30 yuan at night, organizers said at the countdown.

The event also welcomed 12 ambassadors of the expo, who were selected through an online poll and an expert review. These include the giant panda keeper Tan Jintao, Bai Xiong, a bonsai enthusiast from Canada and Qiu Yamin, the founder of the local gardening brand Heidi's Garden.

The ambassadors will participate in an array of activities in the following months to promote the expo and Chengdu to the world.

In addition, more than 10 tour routes were released during the event, which are designed to help tourists learn about Chengdu culture and appreciate the city's beauty.