A large tulip show was also held in Hongqiao Huaxiang, a 10-hectare park and flower production base featuring various tulips introduced from the Netherlands.
Li Zheng, the Party chief of Chongming district, said that Chongming Island has a long history of flower planting that spans 500 years and will make use of the China Flower Expo to further develop its flower industry.
Li said that the Hua Zhao Jie celebration is a stress test for the upcoming flower expo, and the district will improve its transportation and lodging in the final 58 days before the expo proper.
"By May, Chongming will become a flowery island ready for people from around the world to enjoy the beauty of flowers together," he said.