Lotus exhibition looks good enough to eat
A visitor appreciates lotuses at Shanghai Guyi Garden on Wednesday.
A visitor takes photos at Shanghai Guyi Garden on Wednesday.
Visitors take photos at an exhibition of lotus illustrations at Shanghai Guyi Garden on Wednesday.
The 8th Shanghai lotus and waterlily exhibition opened at Shanghai Guyi Garden in Jiading District on Wednesday, featuring 3,500 square meters of flowers on water in many colors, including some new, rare and award-winning ones.
The display at the classical Jiangnan-style garden which dates back to the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) also includes nearly 2,000 pots of lotuses.
Some autumn lotuses, hybrid lotuses, tropical waterlilies and lotuses from overseas countries such as Japan and Thailand are also on show.
The display will run through July 25.
Lotus cuisine with lotus roots replicating waxberries in this dish.
One of the lotus dishes served at the garden's restaurant.
One of the dishes featured in the garden's lotus feast at its restaurant.
This year's lotus flowering is about a week later than last year due to continuous rainfall and a sudden drop in temperature, said the garden’s Liu Amei.
The best temperature for lotus growth is between 25 and 32 degrees Celsius, and the best temperature during the budding phase is above 25 degrees for at least 14 consecutive days, said Liu.
Lotuses prefer sunny weather to bloom.
During the exhibition, a variety of activities such as Peking Opera performances, a night tour webcast, a summer health lecture, a gardening class and a summer camp will be hosted at the garden.
A lotus feast, featuring food made from lotus roots and flowers, will be served at the garden's restaurant during the exhibition.
"We made innovations on about 60 percent of lotus cuisines compared with last year," said Zhang Yukang, one of the chefs behind the 11 dishes.
"A cuisine replicates waxberry with lotus roots and shrimp as fillings," said Zhang. "We draw inspiration from Western dishes for it and the cuisine involves a lot of complex and exquisite procedures."
An illustration exhibition featuring lotuses and waterlilies and a Chinese silk tapestry circular fan exhibition are part of the display.
Chinese silk tapestry, known as “kesi,” which means “cut silk,” is the visual illusion of cutting threads that is created by changing shuttles between colors and wefts.
The craftsmanship was listed as a world intangible cultural heritage in 2009.
Tourists can to learn about sachet making and sip summer herb tea at the garden during the Dragon Boat Festival from Thursday to Saturday.
The garden has extended its opening hours to 7:30pm during the summer.
Visitors appreciate the lotuses at Guyi Garden.
One of the lotus dishes that will be served at the Guyi Garden restaurant.
