Planning background: in 2017, all-for-one tourism was written into the government work report of China’s National People’s Congress and Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference for the first time, opening a new era of tourism consumption. After several decades of development, the Shimenfang scenic area had come to show clear weaknesses: a small area, few landscape attractions, short routes, a long off-season, and a lack of facilities for rest, lodging, entertainment, shopping and services. To meet the rapid growth of tourism demand, make up for these shortcomings, extend the scenic area’s reach and attract more visitors, upgrading the landscape became urgent. The Chengguan Subdistrict Office of Linqu County responded with an innovative approach: on the basis of the original Shimenfang scenic area, it planned a ten-mile Cherry Blossom Valley and a sculpture expo park, broadening and improving the venues for tourist consumption.
Cherry Blossom Valley – Landscape Master Plan
Cherry Blossom Valley – Planning Structure
One valley: Cherry Blossom Valley (the whole planned project). One belt: the most beautiful marathon course. One road: the self-drive Cherry Blossom Road. One park: the Sculpture Park. Two plazas: Phoenix Plaza and Cherry Blossom Plaza. Two gates: the Cherry Blossom Gate and the Shimenfang Gate. Six zones: Zone 1 Golden Bell Garden, Zone 2 Green Bamboo Garden, Zone 3 Trumpet Vine Garden, Zone 4 Persimmon Garden, Zone 5 Peach Blossom Garden, Zone 6 Crape Myrtle Garden. Ten scenes, including Cherry Pool Moon Reflection, Cherry Blossom Fairy Island and Flower Stream Cascades.
Cherry Blossom Valley – Aerial View
The vision: to restore the Shimenfang scenic area, and to revive humane tourism that follows the four seasons. The plan makes up for five weaknesses of Red Leaf Valley — a lack of water, low vegetation cover, insufficient cultural depth, a single attraction with short routes and a long off-season, and inadequate facilities. It respects the original ecosystem and the local residents, and preserves the rural character as far as possible. Design methods combine land art with living landscape; a changed balance in the tourism industry enriches the commercial offer; and visitor numbers are expected to rise year by year after the landscape upgrade.
Cherry Blossom Valley in Every Season
In early spring the golden bells and cherry blossoms burst into bloom; in early summer azaleas and trumpet vines vie for attention; in late autumn the ginkgos turn gold and the fruit hangs heavy; in winter pines and bamboo stay green as snow flies for miles. The result is a landscape corridor with flowers in three seasons and changing colours in all four.
Cherry Blossom Gate
The Cherry Blossom Gate is the “entrance hall” of Cherry Blossom Valley.
Phoenix Plaza – Plan
Phoenix Plaza
Named for its location in Phoenix Village, the plaza uses radiant light as its expressive device and serves as the entrance plaza of the scenic area, with a parking area (over 1,000 spaces) and a tourist commercial street. A contemporary phoenix sculpture stands at its centre, symbolising that “where it appears, the world is at peace”.
Hundred Cherries in Bloom (Golden Bell Garden) – Nodes Along the Route
Painters’ Village Node
Cherry Blossom Plaza / Ten Scenes Plan
Cherry Blossom Plaza – Night View Rendering
Cherry Blossom Plaza / Commercial Street – Concept
Cherry Blossom Plaza / Cherry Garden Retreat – Concept
Cherry Blossom Plaza / Other Nodes – Concept
Sculpture Park Plan
The Sculpture Park is divided into five sub-parks: children’s culture, revolutionary culture, folk culture, classical Chinese learning, and historical figures.
Persimmon Garden Node
Early Cherry Garden Node
Other Nodes
Red Leaf Plaza Node
Planting Plan
Planting Red Plum
Planting in Bloom – Site Work
Planting Cherry Trees
Planting Cherry Trees
Cherry Blossom Valley – Construction Site
Cherry Blossom Lake – Completion Photograph
Group Photo of the Collaborating Team
