The annual chrysanthemum exhibition is being held at the Chinese Pavilion Garden in Xiangfang district from Sept 14 to Oct 8 -- giving residents of Harbin the colorful chance to enjoy different varieties of the flower.

The Chinese Pavilion Garden covers an area of 72.9 hectares with over 100,000 plants from 200 different varieties on display, including 60 groups of sculptures made from chrysanthemums.

Chrysanthemums were first cultivated in China as a flowering herb as far back as the 15th Century BC. Over 500 cultivars had been recorded by the year 1630. The plant is renowned as one of the “Four Gentlemen” in Chinese and East Asian art.

The flower is particularly significant during the Double Ninth Festival, or Chongyang Festival, the first official Chinese festival for the elderly, which falls on Oct 7 this year.

Similar flower exhibitions have been held on 15 previous occasions, with the district hoping to promote itself as a tourist attraction.

Colorful chrysanthemums decorate the Chinese Pavilion Garden. [Photo/people.cn]