Taizhou showcases Song Dynasty heritage at Wenzhou garden expo

Taizhou Garden. [Photo/Taizhou Daily]

The 15th China International Garden Expo is underway in Wenzhou, East China's Zhejiang province, with the Taizhou Garden highlighting cultural and landscape designs inspired by the Song Dynasty (960–1279).

Running for 100 days and ending in July, the expo features one main venue, 13 sub-venues, and 49 exhibition points, with over 600 cultural activities, serving as a vibrant city-wide event that integrates garden artistry, performances, international exchanges, family activities, and sci-tech experiences.

Taizhou Garden covers about 1,855 square meters and features five themed sections, including mountain dwelling, incense appreciation, tea culture, painting, and flower arrangement, presenting a simple and elegant landscape.

At the entrance, a Taihu stone shaped like the outline of Taizhou features calligraphy attributed to Su Shi, a Song Dynasty poet. Inside the garden is a series of cultural displays combining natural scenery and traditional culture. Lantern art from Xianju county and traditional wall coatings infused with locally developed fragrance techniques are used to create a multi-sensory experience for visitors.

A central highlight is a replica of a garment unearthed from a Southern Song Dynasty (1127–1279) tomb, displayed in a circular pavilion.

The garden also features interactive sections themed around Song Dynasty cultural practices, including tea preparation, floral arrangement, and traditional music performances.