The "Blessings for the Motherland" flower basket at Tiananmen Square in Beijing Photo: Courtesy of Beijing Municipal Forestry and Parks Bureau

As China's National Day holiday approaches, Tian'anmen Square in Beijing has once again transformed into a vibrant sea of colors. The towering "Blessings to the Motherland" flower basket is drawing curious crowds even before its official unveiling on Thursday. Visitors pause to take photos, children point excitedly at the glowing doves perched above the blossoms, and many note that the display radiates festive cheer and national pride.

"This year's basket stands 16 meters tall and features 18 varieties of flowers symbolizing good wishes," a representative of the Beijing Municipal Forestry and Parks Bureau, surnamed Li, told the Global Times. "For the first time, the Chinese rose, one of Beijing's city flowers, has been chosen as the focal flower, symbolizing peace and hope."

Floral displays at Tian'anmen Square have a history dating back to 1984, but the "flower basket" design was introduced in 2011 and has remained a centerpiece ever since.

The Global Times spoke with Lan Hailang, the chief designer who has worked on the Tian'anmen and Chang'an Avenue floral displays for 28 years, about this year's innovations and the decades of effort behind these iconic designs.

Innovative display

For Lan, the tradition of arranging a giant flower basket in Tian'anmen Square was deliberately chosen, as he sees it as "the most symbolic gift for the nation's birthday."

"The flower basket is festive and grand, blending harmoniously with the surroundings of Tian'anmen Square. It offers strong visual appeal and carries profound meaning — like a magnificent birthday cake, filled with heartfelt wishes," Lan told the Global Times.

He noted that the biggest difference in this year's design is the incorporation of elements commemorating the 80th anniversary of the Victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. To honor the milestone, white doves have been introduced into the giant basket for the first time, conveying a message of peace.

In the past, the design was focused mainly on celebrating National Day. This year, after considering several schemes, the team ultimately chose to present it in the form of a "Peace Basket," Lan explained.

"For the first time, white doves have been introduced into the giant basket. Their integration with the flowers not only conveys a message of peace in a clear and vivid way, but also represents an artistic innovation. The combination of animals and flowers is similar to techniques used in sand art — straightforward yet refreshing," he noted.

In selecting the flowers, the design team sought to imbue the display with deep symbolism. "We placed emphasis on traditional Chinese flowers, such as the Chinese rose and Chinese dove tree, a unique species in China whose blossoms resemble white doves, symbolizing peace," Lan said.

A couple takes a photo in front of one of 10 flower installations renewed for National Day alongside Chang'an Avenue in Beijing on September 23, 2025. Photo: VCG

Floral echoes of progress

In recent years, the giant "flower basket" in Tian'anmen Square has become a highlight of National Day celebrations. But as Lan explained, the tradition of decorating the square with flowers actually dates back several decades.

Floral displays in Tian'anmen Square trace back to 1984, with the three-dimensional flower bed appearing in 1986. Over the years, the layout of the square's flower arrangements has evolved.

From 1986 to 1999, the centerpiece was a fountain surrounded by four three-dimensional floral installations at the corners of the square.

Large three-dimensional flower beds were arranged along the east and west sides of the square from 2000 to 2011. As the square's layout developed, the giant flower basket design was introduced in 2011 and has been a mainstay ever since.

Yet creating a new design each year is no small feat. Lan explained that each giant "flower basket" takes more than six months to develop — from establishing a theme to mapping out every element in detail. 

During the design process, the team needs a thorough understanding of the site, including careful attention to lighting. He gave an example: The south side of Chang'an Avenue is backlit, so they choose shade-tolerant plants for the best effect. The north side faces the sun, so they select bright, sun-loving flowers. 

"We also carefully consider the size, dimensions, and orientation of each flower bed, as well as how it will appear from different viewpoints, whether photographed on foot, seen from buses or private cars, or captured in aerial shots," added Lan.

Over decades of working on National Day flower displays, he has witnessed the country's prosperity and the profound changes in people's lives through the themes, plant selections, and construction techniques of the flower beds.

Technologically, the process has advanced far beyond simple computer-assisted designs. Nowadays, 3D printing and 3D scanning help create more intricate and precise floral installations. Flower beds have evolved from simple, small-scale designs to towering, exquisitely detailed three-dimensional structures. Complex shapes, delicate textures, and rich colors all reflect the nation's remarkable progress in manufacturing.

The plant selections have grown equally diverse. Flower beds once relied on a single type, the five-colored grass; now there are more than 100 varieties. Irrigation has also become more efficient, transitioning from traditional water wheels to automated sprinkler systems. Nighttime lighting adds another dimension, allowing visitors to enjoy the displays both day and night and extending their visual impact.

"Though the years pass, the flowers remain familiar. Seeing visitors' bright smiles in front of the flower basket is the most rewarding part," he said. "It is an honor for us to design the National Day displays for our country," remarked Lan.