One may be hard pressed to pinpoint the single most impressive sight throughout the 2008 Beijing Olympics, as the city lends itself so naturally to inspiring displays. Much of the focus was placed on the Games’ opening ceremonies, and the striking new structures that were built specifically for the 2008 contests. However, it was the Gardens at the Beijing Olympics that gave visitors the opportunity to take in the natural beauty of the destination.

For two months, thousands of carefully crafted topiaries and gardens, comprising more than 40 million plants and flowers of more than 50 unique varieties, were displayed at the Science and Technology Park. The area was specially chosen for its close proximity to other Beijing highlights including Tiananmen Square and the Central Olympic Zone.

The Gardens at the Beijing Olympics include the “Homes for Plants, Gardens for Humans” exhibit, which is one of 80 botanic gardens in more than 25 countries continuing the global effort to convey the beauty in diversity.

To this end, during the Beijing Olympic Games, the People’s Republic of China took great strides to present a united, peaceful reflection of the country’s culture. The topiary gardens in Beijing are among more than 50 Olympic gardens in 43 cities. Shanghai, Guangzhou, Tianjin and many other Chinese provinces joined in the effort with their own gardens.

In keeping with Chinese botanical heritage, the topiaries depict images integral to the country’s history. Giant Pandas, dragons and jumping dolphins join various water elements and images of Buddhism, Confucianism and Daoism to show the comprehensive culture of the Chinese people. In addition to these displays of national pride, plant sculptures of athletes participating in various sports adorn the gardens, a testament to the 10,500 participants in the more than 300 events during the 29th Olympic Games.

The gardens didn’t just serve a symbolic purpose. Together with more than 100,000 square meters of rooftop gardens planted throughout Beijing, they helped in the “Olympic Greening” effort, to perpetuate cleaner air for the athletes and other visitors to Beijing. Indeed, there was much reported in the several months prior to the games about the abysmal air quality in urban China, and what it meant for Olympic competitors trying to compete at their best.

As is the case with the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, and all events in between, the Gardens at the Beijing Olympics are the result of months of planning and effort of countless organizers. The topiary displays were created and implemented by staffers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Botanic Gardens Popular Network, Beijing Municipal Science and Technology Committee and the Botanic Gardens Conservation International.

For anyone who was fortunate to visit the Olympic gardens in Beijing, it was difficult to miss the sense of pride both portrayed and inspired by the images so carefully crafted by its people.