Inspired by a tale of heavenly maidens, the blueprint of the 2014 Qingdao International Horticultural Exposition features elements both ancient and modern, fusing combined concepts from the East and the West.

The expo spreads across 241 hectares, including 164 hectares of theme areas, 15.6 hectares of water areas, a 77-hectare experience area for visitors and a 55-hectare Expo Village to provide logistical support.

There are seven parks with themes - Chinese, Floriculture, Herb, Dreamkids, Science, Green and International, and five experience parks, including the tea-scent, agriculture, floristry, floral world and mountain parks.

"As the fairy tale goes, the maidens were scattering flowers and exploring the most beautiful places on earth, when they were deeply impressed by the beauty of Jiaozhou Bay and the splendors of Baiguo Mountain. They decided to stop and as they descended, seven bands of distinctive colors began to fall," said Li Fengli, secretary-general of the QIHE executive committee, referring to the design for the park's layout.

The Chinese park, built according to the principle of harmony among man, heaven and earth, consists of 51 exhibition sections for domestic provinces, including Taiwan and the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions as well as 17 cities of the host province Shandong, enabling visitors to enjoy the charm of a unified China, Li said.

The international park will showcase the horticulture of foreign countries.

"This park consists of 36 exhibition sections, mainly for relative international organizations, countries, foreign sister provinces and cities as well as professional institutions who were frequent supporters for the expos in the past," Li said.

The green park consists of 37 exhibition sections. Hirun Investment Group has transplanted two ancient mulberries and 1,600 mulberry saplings to the park and will show the visitors the process of breeding silk worms and making silk.

Visitors will also see hops and barley in this park grown by Tsingtao Brewery Co Ltd, a world-renowned brewery, which will reveal its brewing secrets at the expo.

"The green park is definitely worth a trip because a lot of fun, knowledge and unique features can be found there," said Li.

The designs of the theme hall, botanical hall and horticultural center are starting to take shape but are still very much in the early stages.

The theme hall has four pavilions, which resemble petals. The first and second pavilions feature the local culture of Qingdao and Shandong. Pavilion three is designed for showing floriculture, while pavilion four provides service.

The botanical hall, a lush garden full of house plants, provides popular science, culture and entertainment. With a planned area of 22,000 square meters, it is made up of exhibition sections for sea plants and bamboo as well as one for rattan and temperate plants.

The horticultural center conveys the concept of harmony between man and nature while showing horticulture by introducing plants through stories told in first-person narratives.

So far, the main roads have been paved and pipelines have almost been put in place. The main construction projects are expected to be completed by the end of this year. The necessary trees have been acquired and are scheduled to go into place by winter. All the work will be accomplished by October 2013.

Contact the writer at xiechuanjiao@chinadaily.com.cn