Things are blooming in Xi'an, capital city of northwest China's Shaanxi Province. It's playing host to the 2011 World Horticultural Expo.

A ceremony has been held to mark the start of the six-month event.

The theme is the Co-Existence between Nature and Mankind. The Expo boasts more than a hundred exhibition sectors.

The main buildings include the Chang'an Tower, Greenhouse, Theme Pavilion and the Guangyun Entrance. 29 national pavilions feature classical Chinese architecture with Western touches. The park showcases hundreds of rare plants and ecological landscapes.

More than 170,000 visitors have come to the park during the three trial openings, which began a week ago Wednesday.

(CNTV.cn April 28, 2011)