Flower fairs to cement Guangzhou's place as floral capital

Advanced technologies make flower fairs more interesting

The organizers have also announced the integration of augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR) and 3D streetscape technologies at the flower fairs this year. These technologies will enable people to learn more about the flowers on display and provide an online flower fair for those who cannot make it to Guangzhou personally.

"Just snap a shot of the flowers and analyze the photo with WeChat, then the name of the specimen plus some information about it will pop up," said a staff member from internet giant Tencent, who claimed that the company will roll out a special applet for WeChat on Feb 12 to give floral enthusiasts a more convenient way of learning.

The applet "Shihuajun", meaning "flower know-it-all", has a database of more than 6,000 plants; it can utilize the database to recognize flowers with an above 90 percent accuracy rate, according to the Tencent employee. He added that his team will also be handing out special cards at the flower fairs in Guangzhou, to offer knowledge about Guangzhou and its flowers.

Girls present red envelops printed with images of Huahua and Chengcheng, the fair's mascots. [Photo/Nanfang Plus] 

Expats involvement at Guangzhou's flower fairs

On Feb 12, a special activity attended by long-term Guangzhou expats will be held in Guangzhou. The expats will be invited to convene at Canton Tower and to light up the iconic building. Meanwhile, lighting installations at Huacheng Square, Liede Bridge and Haixinsha Island will also be ignited.

Otherwise, Guangzhou's tourism bureau will also work together with local enterprises to invite famous overseas celebrities to experience Guangzhou's festive Spring Festival atmosphere. This is the fourth time that Guangzhou has hosted this event and this year, Alexandros M. Modiano, vice mayor of Athens; Harvey Dzodin, commentator for China Central Television and Antonio Alegre Puzo, chief marketing officer for famous football club Real Club Deportivo Español and their family members are due to attend the event.

Guangzhou flower fairs go global

According to the organizers, Guangzhou will also simulataenously hold a special flower fair in Paris that will exhibit Guangzhou's Spring Festival tradition in the hopes that it will promote the city's flower fairs and lure more French visitors to Guangzhou. This will be the first time that city will be holding an overseas flower event.

Moreover, special interactive activities will also be organized between the Canton Tower and the Eiffel Tower; the Pearl River and the Seine River; Beijing Road and the Champs-Elysees Avenue, to tighten the bonds between the two cities.