On May 18, Beijing welcomed the opening of the Ninth China (Beijing) International Garden Exposition, another grand event to showcase the capital's attractions following the Olympic Games in 2008.

Located on the west bank of the Yongding River in southwest Beijing's Fengtai District, the expo offers a new opportunity to boost regional development, with ecological restoration high on the agenda.

The initiative has greatly contributed to the local environment, in particular, redeveloping a 147-hectare landfill into a picturesque landscape for relaxation and entertainment.

In history, the Yongding River is well-known for its early morning lunar views from Lugou Bridge, one of the eight famous scenic spots in ancient Beijing. However, the area suffered much due to ceased river flow and ecological degradation. The dried-up bed eventually became a landfill and a major source of frequent sandstorms.

Now, the river has been restored to its former glory through renovation. Moreover, water quality has reached the required standards set by the Beijing Municipal Government in 2012.

The construction of the expo has also sped up local infrastructure improvement, with newly built subways and highways, beefing up traffic facilities in the southwest of the city.

According to the organizing committee of the expo, the total investment of this project has come to over 10 billion yuan ($1.63 billion). The region is expected to ultimately transform its development pattern from being heavily reliant on low-end industries to a bustling commercial center and home to innovative technology companies.

The garden expo is further expected to create price ascension of local land assets. Experts predict that the expo might create a new mode of sustainable development.

The expo is not only low-carbon and eco-friendly, but also a platform to collect and display local as well as global historic and cultural heritage. Furthermore, it is expected to attract over 17 million visitors at home and abroad, which means opportunities for investors and exhibitors alike.