Flower haven set to bloom

The expo venue will cover 10 square kilometers, with the main area consisting of a peony-shaped flower field, six pavilions and six gardens for different flowers, such as plum blossoms, orchids, lotuses and chrysanthemums.

Structural construction of the 34,000-square-meter main pavilion, called Fuxing, or rejuvenation, has already been completed and the planting of trees and flowers in the area will begin in September.

"It will be the first expo to be hosted on an island, in the countryside and surrounded by forests," Li Zheng, governor of Chongming district, says.

Formed by silt brought down by the Yangtze River, Chongming became a part of Shanghai in 1958, when eight collective farms were founded one after another to supply food for the city.

Apart from supplying crops and vegetables for the city, the island has gradually become a getaway for people in nearby cities to seek respite from the hustle and bustle of city life because of its lush scenery and fresh air.

The island's excellent air quality is due to its forest coverage rate of 26 percent and natural wetland coverage of 38 percent.

Gu Haoming, who lives in Kunshan of Jiangsu province, says he drives his family to Chongming for a short getaway every two to three months.

"I enjoyed my visit to the Dongtan wetland in October. The large swathes of reeds and the birds hovering and swimming there have left a deep impression on me," he says.

Located at the eastern end of the island, the Dongtan wetland is a natural reserve for migratory birds during winter.

"It took a little more than two hours to drive from Kunshan to Chongming－it's perfect for weekend trips. I'd definitely come for the flower expo with my family next year," Gu says.

The influx of weekend tourists such as Gu has fueled a burgeoning bed-and-breakfast industry on the island in recent years, according to Chongming locals.