[Video] The flourishing flower economy in China
The Chinese people’s admiration for flowers is inspiring scenic journeys by train, boat and helicopter to view nature’s beauty. This is driving a flourishing flower economy in China. ThinkChina’s Yi Jina finds out more.
Flowers hold a deep-rooted significance in Chinese tradition. They adorn traditional Chinese weddings, embody the intangible cultural heritage of zanhua (簪花) in floral headdresses, and are used in both traditional and modern Chinese cuisines. Revered as symbols of auspiciousness in literature, well wishes and gifts, flowers are intricately woven into every facet of daily life.
The Chinese people’s love for flowers extends to a keen interest in flower viewing.
According to Meituan, ticket sales for flower viewing in China have surged by almost 700% compared to last year. In pursuit of the perfect floral vista, Chinese tourists board commuter trains departing from Beijing, journeying through blooming peach and apricot orchards — an exclusive springtime experience. They also opt for helicopter rides from Jiangsu airports for breathtaking aerial views of cherry blossoms. Some have even reimagined the farm-to-table experience, setting up restaurants among the blooms, like the hotpot restaurant nestled amid rapeseed fields in Chengdu. For those unable to enjoy it in person, livestreams of flower viewing on Meituan’s platform alone have attracted nearly ten million viewers.
Not only that, with about 1.5 million hectares dedicated to flower cultivation and over 5 million people involved in the industry, China has emerged as one of the world’s largest flower producers and a significant trader and consumer.
The flourishing flower economy is driven by both flower viewing and related merchandise. In the Baili Azalea Scenic Area, Guizhou, nearly 50,000 people — about one-third of the population — rely on flower tourism for income, according to Ding Lian, deputy head of the area’s tourism bureau. Meanwhile, in Dounan, Kunming, Asia’s largest flower market, daily transaction volumes average about 40 million stems, while at the auction market, 8.5 million stems have been sold daily from May 2024.
