The World Horticultural Expo 2011 will welcome visitors on April 28 in Xi'an, the ancient capital of China for 13 dynasties in the northwest of the country. The expo began a trial operation Wednesday, a window of opportunity for enjoying displays of latest plants.

With 109 indoor and outdoor exhibition sections, this year's event has attracted masters from countries around the world. Some 418 hectares of well crafted landscape are rooted in cultural symbolism, and showcase the city's promising future.

The master plan of the expo, Flowing Gardens, is an international competition-winning design, it shows a radical self-sustainable vision for the future. Buildings harmonize with the terrain, pathways circulate the grounds like water, every element of the garden is designed to flow together under the influence of nature.

The key events will take place in the Theme Pavilion. It will house the latest horticultural and environmentally conscious technology, represent overall ethos of the expo.

Twenty nine national pavilions are set up at the Expo site, horticulturists of different cultural backgrounds will showcase their ideas for life through superior skills.

"Designers highlight the culture of their countries in the design, visitors can feel latest ideas of countries in garden design," said Zhang Haiyuan, planning office of Xi'an World Horticultural Expo.

Three hundreds buses, 120 battery cars and 500 bicycles are ready for use. Visitors can enjoy cuisine, both Chinese and Western in 22 restaurants. 12 million guests are expected to visit Xi'an and experience the exposition's new perspective on nature.

(CNTV.cn April 21, 2011)