Agricultural Scientific Academy

The Agricultural Scientific Academy is one of the top tourist destinations in the south coastal city of Zhuhai. It is located at the foot of Shuanglong Mountain in the Meixi Village of Qianshan Town. It is an impressive agricultural garden featuring a wide variety of fruits and vegetables. It covers an area of 1.33 square kilometers (about 330 acres). The academy is a modern farm combining high-tech growing methods while maintaining the flavor of rural agriculture. Its major scenic spots include the Rare Vegetable and Fruit Garden; Soilless Cultivation Garden; Desert Arboretum Garden and the Birdie Fairyland. The Agricultural Scientific Academy is one of the 'Top Ten Scenic Areas' in Zhuhai and is the Demonstration Base for Agricultural Scientific Research in Zhuhai.

Let's first come to the Rare Vegetable and Fruit Garden (also called Modern Agricultural Museum) for a visit. Many kinds of unique crops are planted and harvested using a method called soilless or hydroponic cultivation. The museum has a cooling system that maintains the temperature at a steady 25C (77F). Visitors can see and taste a wide variety of fruits in this year-round spring-like environment. A man-made bridge over flowing water adds to the museum's appeal.

Next, let's come to another exhibition-the Soilless Cultivation Garden where greenhouse asparagus is planted. Asparagus is called the 'King of Vegetables' because it is not only delicious, but has significant medicinal value. Besides, many kinds of familiar melons are planted and harvested in the garden during all the seasons. Cucumber, watermelon and cantaloupe are just a few of the varieties that thrive in this pollution and toxin-free setting. These tasty and refreshing treats are available to visitors year-round.

The most eye-catching spot in the Academy is the Desert Arboretum Garden. It is a huge glass house covering an area of 2,000 square meters (about 0.5 acres) and is sometimes called 'Capital of the Desert.' There are more than 100 kinds of tropical desert plants there including a few rare varieties. Additionally, there are more than 150 types of cactus including jade kylin and aloe. All the plants with different styles and colors are arranged in some sort of a formation to show their beauty. Behind the garden there are lifelike camel sculptures serving as a foil to the plants. Visitors here experience the illusion of being in the desert.

Birdie Fairyland is a newly established scenic spot covering an area of 3,000 square meters (about 0.7 acres). There are two netted aviaries in the garden housing nearly 2,000 types of birds. Because the garden is so ecologically friendly that it is regarded as a 'fairyland' for its inhabitants. One can hear parrots and mynahs talk and thrushes warbling. Two kinds of precious birds also inhabit the garden: one is the largest bird on earth - the ostrich; the other is the prototype of the legendary phoenix-the peacock. Through domestication and training, the birds can get in close proximity with visitors. Tourists can buy feed and give it to the birds. All of this adds up to an idyllic experience for our feathered friends and their human admirers.

There are many other plant-specific gardens in the Academy. These include the Rose, Lotus and Phalaenopsis Orchid Gardens and others as well. The Academy also features an ancient loom and water supplied by a paddle wheel providing the feel of an old village.