Taiyuan and Jinzhong, in Shanxi province, had a good finish at the 9th China (Beijing) International Garden Expo, taking away 16 awards, including the top prize for Best Outdoor Garden Design, for Jinzhong.

Out of 128 competing gardens, Jinyuan Garden, from Taiyuan, took the Comprehensive Gold Award, Accessory Building Award, and Outdoor Design Award.

Jinzhong also took Best Garden Design Award, and Exhibition Park Construction and Planting Arrangement Awards. At the same time, the Taiyuan and Jinzhong governments were honored for their Outstanding Organization, and the Taiyuan Garden Bureau got an Advanced Unit award, while the Jinzhong Garden Bureau got an Advanced Unit and Excellent Construction award.

The Jinyuan Garden is in a traditional garden exhibition zone that, covers 2,160 sq m. It was designed built by the Taiyuan Landscape Architecture Design Institute and Taiyuan Yingze Garden and took 300 days to complete. It has indigenous plants and many special buildings, such as the Zhenqu pavilion, Jinren pedestal, and Jin ancestral building.

Located in the B27 exhibition zone, Jinzhong Garden covers an area of 1,000 sq m. Jin merchant culture is fully reflected in those architectures such as the traditional stage, decorated archway, screen wall.

The 9th China (Beijing) International Garden Expo was in the Fengtai district of Beijing, from May 18 to Nov 18, with 69 Chinese cities and 37 foreign cities and agencies taking part.

Edited by Roger Bradshaw