In northern China, ‘flowers’ bloom despite winter’s icy grip
Shrubs and trees in downtown Shenyang suddenly awash in pink and yellow as city officials try to add colour to grey December days
Authorities in northern China have added fake leaves and flowers to plants and trees along a downtown street in a bid to liven up an otherwise grey winter scene, mainland media reports.
Shrubs along Qingnian Road in Liaoning’s capital city of Shenyang had already lost their greenery due to the cold weather, according to Eastday.com.
Municipal officials decided to intervene and tied fake yellow ginkgo leaves to short bushes while tree branches were made over with red “maple leaves”.
Local residents, bundled up in thick coats, were not entirely impressed. They said the government should take a more nuanced view of the aesthetics of the changing seasons.