The Yunluo Botanical Garden
Known as the “City of Flowers” (花城), Guangzhou is celebrated for its botanical beauty and lush greenery, thanks to its subtropical climate that fosters year-round blooms and vibrant vegetation. Last November, Guangzhou welcomed a new urban icon with the grand opening of Yunluo Botanical Garden, further enriching its reputation as a city of botanical beauty.
Yunluo Botanical Garden, nestled at the southern foot of Guangzhou’s Baiyun Mountain, is a testament to the city’s dedication to environmental conservation and urban greening. Spanning approximately 86.6 hectares and home to over 1,500 plant species, Yunluo Botanical Garden also serves as a centre for ecological education and recreational activities.
Kapok Walk: Inspired by the Beauty of the Kapok Tree
Nestled within this serene urban oasis is Kapok Walk, one of its main highlights. This 1.2-kilometre-long, barrier-free treetop walkway was designed by CPG Consultants (Singapore and Shanghai) in collaboration with the Guangzhou Landscape Architecture Design & Research Institute.
Kapok Walk
The design of the walkway is deeply inspired by the kapok tree, a native species and the official flower of Guangzhou. Drawing inspiration from the natural forms, lines, and shapes of the kapok tree across different regions and seasons, the design reflects its various elements in abstract form. This is showcased in the walkway’s nodes, rest areas, climbing play nets, and shading structures, offering visitors a glimpse of the kapok tree’s diversity and beauty.
Kapok Walk: A Treetop Experience of Nature and Culture
Kapok Walk is divided into two sections: the Guangzhou Kapok Walk, and the International Kapok Walk. The Guangzhou Kapok Walk highlights the native red kapok tree, showcasing its seasonal transformations through various elements such as roots, bark, flowers, leaves, pods, and fruits. This allows visitors to appreciate Guangzhou’s city flower from multiple perspectives.
A connecting bridge seamlessly links to the International Kapok Walk, with its design inspired by different species of kapok trees from around the world. Symbolising a maritime Silk Road, the bridge brings together kapok trees from across the globe, creating a harmonious connection.
The Guangzhou Kapok Walk features three key design nodes: the White Cloud Pavilion, the Red and White Kapok Skywalk, and the Rainforest Eye Skywalk.
The White Cloud Pavilion draws inspiration from the blooming red kapok flower, abstractly showcasing its petals, stamens, and sepals to highlight the unique beauty of Guangzhou’s city flower. More than just a scenic viewpoint, it serves as a popular landmark and activity hub, complementing the landscape at the South Gate entrance.
The Red and White Kapok Skywalk adopts an abstract design to depict the contrast between the red flowers and white kapok fibres. Its floral-shaped shaded pavilions provide resting spots while also serving educational purposes. Additionally, the cotton-like seating and net structures offer playful and interactive elements for visitors.
The Rainforest Eye Skywalk is a significant node overlooking the Rainforest Garden, drawing inspiration from the distinctive shape of the kapok pod. Originally designed with a symmetrical layout to represent the gateway to the Rainforest Park, the concept evolved to reflect the natural form of kapok pods, which grow as extensions of branches. As a result, a branching layout was also considered to better integrate with the surrounding natural environment.
Kapok Walk: A Pathway For The Community
Kapok Walk is the result of eight years of meticulous planning, design, and development. Throughout the process, the CPG team worked closely with the client to understand their vision and the local culture, collaborating with the Guangzhou Institute of Landscape Architecture and Planning to conduct workshops and community engagements. This ensured that the design remained sensitive to its surroundings while meeting the needs of the people it serves. Finally, with the expertise of China State Construction Engineering Corporation, the vision was brought to life.
More than just an urban pathway, Kapok Walk is designed to be a vibrant addition to the city that enhances daily life, encourages movement, and strengthens community connections. As the city evolves, CPG looks forward to shaping more meaningful spaces that bring people together and enrich urban living.