The infrastructure construction for the 2014 Qingdao International Horticultural Expo will start in March this year, according to sources from the Qingdao Environmental Protection Bureau.

The expo park covers an area of 2.41 square kilometers, including 1.64 square kilometers for the main exhibition area. The park is planned to have 10 themed parks, such as the China Park, the International Park and the Science Park. There is also a research area of 0.77 square kilometers that covers five parks and engages in research on tea plants and flowers.

Visitors and tourists to the Expo will appreciate the various flower species and will be able to take care of tea gardens for fun.

The park's roads, pipes, wire, bridges, tunnels and themed botanical pavilions will be in place by the end of 2012.

Meanwhile, the bid for buildings and facility construction of the 2014 Qingdao International Horticultural Expo has recently been released, with an estimated total investment of 1.24 billion yuan ($196.6 million).

By Xie Chuanjiao and Huang Yaning (chinadaily.com.cn)

Edited by Chen Zhilin and Rakhee M