A night tour at China's national botanical garden in Beijing has attracted a large number of visitors to experience the garden's beauty after dark.
As a highlight of the inaugural Spring Festival Wonder Night event, the tropical greenhouse was opened for the first time after nearly a year of renovations.
The greenhouse houses about 10,000 blooming flowers of over 500 species within its nearly 10,000-square-meter glass structure. It lit up as night fell.
At themed exhibition areas such as the orchid section, rare and exotic plants, paired with rocks and streams, have created a serene ecological environment.
"I have been here many times before, and we are coming here to have a look after the renovations. I come here with the elderly and kids. There are a lot of plants we've never seen before, which is fantastic," said a visitor surnamed Li.
"Nice environment and wonderful place. I mean, I've never been here at night. I hear about this place. So that's why I come here to have a look," said an international visitor.
The event also featured activities such as the stamp collecting, music performance, and handicraft sessions, providing visitors a place to relax, learn about plants, and experience traditional culture during the Spring Festival holiday.
"Apart from the night lighting and diverse floral displays, we have also held a variety of cultural activities. Through a night tour, visitors can not only enjoy the beautiful environment, but also learn a lot about plant science," said He Ran, director of the administration committee of China National Botanical Garden.
The event is scheduled to continue until the seventh day of the Chinese new year -- the last day of Spring Festival holiday, allowing more visitors to explore the garden's unique nighttime charm.
First Spring Festival night tour at national botanical garden draws large crowds
First Spring Festival night tour at national botanical garden draws large crowds
China's manned deep-sea submersible Jiaolong has completed a significant upgrade and started underwater trials, according to the country's Ministry of Natural Resources.
The China-made underwater ship, named after a mythical sea dragon, is capable of diving to depths exceeding 7,000 meters. It has completed over 300 dives since its maiden mission in August 2009 and explored waters in the Pacific Ocean, Indian Ocean and Atlantic Ocean.
This latest upgrade, which began in November last year, aims to enhance its capabilities and support more frequent deep-sea missions.
According to the National Deep Sea Base Management Center, the upgrade focuses on critical components like the propulsion system and battery packs.
The propulsion system has been adjusted structurally to increase the speed from 2.5 to over three nautical miles per hour, with the replacement of three-bladed propellers with more efficient four-bladed versions.
The zinc-silver battery pack has been replaced with high-energy-density flexible lithium battery pack, which aims to improve the power reserve and reduce diving costs.
The submersible's observation capabilities have also been enhanced. An array of cameras, including high-definition video cameras and powerful lighting systems, are equipped to facilitate underwater exploration and resource assessment.
Further upgrades include two more LED light arrays at the front and three more lights at the rear and bottom, expanding the submersible's detection range and improving its ability to locate specific targets.
"This upgrade prioritizes enhancing our operational tools. We've upgraded the electrical systems, propulsion, mechanical components, observation, and communications equipment to cater to the needs of deep-sea exploration and improve operational efficiency," said Qi Haibin, a submersible pilot.
Following the underwater trials to test its stability, Jiaolong will undergo sea trials in the South China Sea in March to validate its enhanced capabilities.
"Jiaolong will be sent to the South China Sea to conduct deep-sea equipment verification. After completing the process, there will be extensive missions ahead of us," Qi said.
The submersible is scheduled for further scientific expeditions in the Pacific and Indian Oceans later this year.
China's manned deep-sea submersible completes major upgrade, prepares for exploration
