Roses galore

After plum blossoms, Beijing is adorned with roses, its city flower alongside chrysanthemums. And in the last week of May, it was as if all the roses of the world, of all colours and varieties, had gathered in a suburb south of the Chinese capital for a convention of their own.
The newly opened rose museum and theme park at Weishanzhuang Town in Daxing district hosted the 2016 regional convention of the World Federation of Rose Societies, with the participation of 40 countries. It also celebrated the 30th anniversary of the crowning of the China rose as Beijing’s city flower, an honour shared with several other Chinese cities.
The Chinese Rose Museum _ a metallic structure depicting the delicate China rose in full bloom, embellished with cut-out rose patterns _ rises amid gardens of roses from the world over. It is the only museum in the world dedicated to the ‘queen of flowers’ _ the theme of so many poems, literary quotes, paintings and artwork, and undoubtedly, the universal symbol of love.
From prehistoric fossil evidence of ancient roses, to the latest hybrids of all hues _ even blue or black _ recreated in 3D, to the history of the rose and its place in world culture, it is all there on 30,000 square metres of ‘rose town’ along the Dalong River. There are also interactive displays to create your own rose, or go through the biology of it. Exhibits also include everything from household items to designer dresses and fine porcelain, cosmetics and perfumes to medicinal uses.
Experts explain that Chinese roses are different to their foreign cousins as they don’t have thorns and their roots vary. When the ‘middle kingdom’ opened up to the world in medieval times, merchants took the Chinese rose to Europe, where it met the French rose and returned to China as the beautiful hybrid roses we know so well from the flower shops of Dhaka that stock imported flowers. And of course, there are roses for every season, a hardy species that can stand spring showers, summer heat, autumn winds and winter cold.
Napoleon’s queen, Josephine, had a rose garden planted _ with roses mostly from China _ in his honour at their château outside Paris, a museum guide tells visitors. The elegant rose has also been the emblem of wars (the 1455-85 Wars of the Roses over the English throne) and peace flags (during World War 1).
Fragrant roses have been used in herbal medicine and confectionery since ancient times. Rosehip, as its fruit is called, is rich in vitamin C and was once used to treat scurvy and colds. Dried blossoms or rosebuds soaked in warm water and then cooled offer a delicious, refreshing drink on dry, hot days. And few Asian desserts would be complete without a dash of ‘golap jal’ (rose water).

The writer is currently visiting China, sponsored by the China Public Diplomacy Association.
Photos: Writer.

Roses galore

After plum blossoms, Beijing is adorned with roses, its city flower alongside chrysanthemums. And in the last week of May, it was as if all the roses of the world, of all colours and varieties, had gathered in a suburb south of the Chinese capital for a convention of their own. The newly opened rose museum and theme park at Weishanzhuang Town in Daxing district hosted the 2016 regional convention of the World Federation of Rose Societies, with the participation of 40 countries. It also celebrated the 30th anniversary of the crowning of the China rose as Beijings city flower, an honour shared with several other Chinese cities. The Chinese Rose Museum _ a metallic structure depicting the delicate China rose in full bloom, embellished with cut-out rose patterns _ rises amid gardens of roses from the world over. It is the only museum in the world dedicated to the queen of flowers _ the theme of so many poems, literary quotes, paintings and artwork, and undoubtedly, the universal symbol of love. From prehistoric fossil evidence of ancient roses, to the latest hybrids of all hues _ even blue or black _ recreated in 3D, to the history of the rose and its place in world culture, it is all there on 30,000 square metres of rose town along the Dalong River. There are also interactive displays to create your own rose, or go through the biology of it. Exhibits also include everything from household items to designer dresses and fine porcelain, cosmetics and perfumes to medicinal uses. Experts explain that Chinese roses are different to their foreign cousins as they dont have thorns and their roots vary. When the middle kingdom opened up to the world in medieval times, merchants took the Chinese rose to Europe, where it met the French rose and returned to China as the beautiful hybrid roses we know so well from the flower shops of Dhaka that stock imported flowers. And of course, there are roses for every season, a hardy species that can stand spring showers, summer heat, autumn winds and winter cold. Napoleons queen, Josephine, had a rose garden planted _ with roses mostly from China _ in his honour at their chteau outside Paris, a museum guide tells visitors. The elegant rose has also been the emblem of wars (the 1455-85 Wars of the Roses over the English throne) and peace flags (during World War 1). Fragrant roses have been used in herbal medicine and confectionery since ancient times. Rosehip, as its fruit is called, is rich in vitamin C and was once used to treat scurvy and colds. Dried blossoms or rosebuds soaked in warm water and then cooled offer a delicious, refreshing drink on dry, hot days. And few Asian desserts would be complete without a dash of golap jal (rose water). The writer is currently visiting China, sponsored by the China Public Diplomacy Association. Photos: Writer.