The Huangpu urban venue presents more than 40 themed gardens and 60 window installations across 41 hectares, blending professional horticulture with urban living spaces.

"Xintiandi and the ancient city park near Yuyuan Garden serve as dual cores of our urban showcase," says Wang Bin, deputy head of Huangpu district. "These represent both modern trends and historical cultural context through numerous garden installations."

Among them, the world garden section at Xintiandi features works by renowned garden designers from the United Kingdom (including the Chelsea Flower Show teams), the United States, the Netherlands, Germany, and other countries.

"This is a celebration of plants, flowers and green spaces, and this is a unique city," says Tim Edwards, president of the Sino-European Horticultural Association. "This is a great opportunity to talk to the whole world about Shanghai and China. Green spaces and flowers are an international language."

The festival's reach extends far beyond the main venues. Commercial areas and parks throughout the city's 16 districts have been transformed into a unified tapestry of spring blooms.

For Shanghai resident Zuo Feng, the creativity on display is most impressive. "The artists' innovative ideas are remarkable. They create animals with artistic sense and vitality using flowers, integrated with everyday scenes. The color compositions are excellent, too," he says.

"What makes this event special is how it uses floral art to connect the entire city," Zuo adds. "You can enjoy flowers, visit malls, have coffee, then stroll to the riverside to take in the scenery. It creates a more vibrant feeling."