A camellia planter takes care of his beloved flowers in Wucheng district, Jinhua, Zhejiang province. [Photo/Tide News]
The 2024 Jinhua Camellia Culture Festival is set to commence in Zhuma township, Wucheng district, Jinhua, Zhejiang province on March 16, offering a floral feast for camellia lovers.
Zhuma is renowned for its camellia industry and was honored with the title of "Hometown of Camellia" by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs in 1993.
Since 2010, the township has been hosting an annual camellia culture festival every March, attracting buyers and visitors from across the nation.
In 2003, the International Camellia Species Garden was inaugurated in the township's Xiazhang village, showcasing over 200 species of camellias. This garden is the world's first camellia species park, serving as a hub for the collection, preservation, cultivation, domestication, and breeding of camellias.
In addition to traditional camellia displays and sales, this year's festival will incorporate various events, including a group wedding and intangible cultural heritage competitions, to infuse a fresh sense of vibrancy into rural tourism.
The event will also showcase camellia-themed cultural and creative products alongside intangible cultural heritage items.
Wucheng boasts a rich tradition of camellia cultivation spanning over 800 years, making it the earliest documented region to grow potted camellias.
