Cat-themed installations have become a popular attraction in several public places in Beijing during this year's week-long National Day holiday, drawing large numbers of residents and tourists to streets and parks decorated for the festive season.
At the south gate of the Ritan Park in Beijing's Chaoyang District, a 3.5-meter-tall cat-shaped plant sculpture named Peng Peng is surrounded by visitors eager to take photos from different angles.
The installation, set against ancient buildings and trees, is encircled by a spiral chrysanthemum flower bed.
"It's so cute and fluffy, with the green plants all over it, creating a particularly warm and cozy feeling," said a visitor.
"'Peng Peng' is mainly made of buffalo grass. When applying the buffalo grass, we also installed a drip irrigation system so visitors can enjoy a fresh 'Peng Peng' even through the end of October," said Lu Yu, deputy director of the park.
The cat installation is more than just a display -- it has become something visitors want to get close to and interact with.
"The cat-shaped installation gives the flowers and plants a sense of life. Because it's in the shape of a little animal, I just want to interact with it," said another visitor.
"We chose the cat as our IP theme for two reasons. First, cats give people a relaxed and cozy feeling. Second, as a small animal, cats appeal to people of all ages, young and old, and small children," said Lu.
Cat elements are not limited to the Ritan Park. They are widely used in this year's National Day floral displays across Beijing.
The Jingshan Park in central Beijing features a green grass cat. A cat design can also be found on a three-dimensional flower bed in Xidan shopping area in Xicheng District. And near Caishikou subway station in the same district, a cat wearing a flower wreath and a white fluffy collar has also attracted many visitors.
The popularity of the cat-themed installations reflects a shift in urban landscape design, from display-centered to daily-life-centered, expert said.
"I think this is also where public landscape design is heading in the future. Design needs to truly return to how people actually feel in their daily life," said Han Peng, associate professor of the School of Art and Design at Beijing Forestry University.
The cat-themed installations are not only attracting visitors but also linked to park operations and public consumption in nearby area. The Ritan Park has designed cat-themed parade interactions as well as cultural and creative products, thus forming a coherent tour route that will contribute to long-term business boom.
"I came to the park because of the cat-shaped installations, and then I went into the cultural and creative gift shop. I saw this cat product and bought it right away," said a visitor.
On the first day of the National Day holiday which began Thursday, visitor numbers at the Ritan Park rose 96.7 percent year on year, and its revenue reached 520,000 yuan (around 77,560 U.S. dollars), 50 percent higher than the same period last year.
Xicheng District also launched a fair near the cat installation at Caishikou subway station, allowing visitors to shop after enjoying the lovely cat .
Cat-themed landscapes draw crowds in Beijing during National Day holiday
Cat-themed landscapes draw crowds in Beijing during National Day holiday
