In our daily rounds of Shunyi, we encounter lots of people who help us and do things for us. Some we recognize, still others we may even know by name. Wouldn’t it be nice to get to know a little more about the people in our neighborhood?
Anyone who lives in Capital Paradise or frequents the area of the pedestrian gate beside Lion Mart might know this familiar smiling face. She is Wang Zhao, from Henan.
Wang, who is 39, has been selling flowers and plants at this same location for eight years now. When asked what she likes most about her job, Wang replies with a shy smile, "Shi gei nimen de fangzi piaoliang." To make your homes beautiful.
To do this, Wang makes the rounds of nurseries in Shunyi, selecting what she knows her Shunyi clients will appreciate. Nearly a decade of dealing with both local and foreign customers has given her enough experience to gauge their preferences. Spring and summer are always busy times, with people living in the Central Villa area eager to add some color to their homes. Wang is always happy to give tips on how best to care for the plants.
She also has a good memory that enables her to remember what general style of flower pots her clients prefer and she is quick to give recommendations from her small stock in the back. Because of her personal attention to customers and gentle manner, Wang does brisk business despite being one of many flower vendors along her stretch of Yuyang Lu.
Flowers range in price from RMB 6 per pot to a whopping RMB 900 for a tree peony, or what locals call mudan. This is China’s national flower, and a well-nourished plant that survives through winter. In the spring, it can bloom up to eight inches in diameter.
To visit Wang’s flower garden, go down Yuyang Lu coming from Pinnacle Plaza. Past River Garden and a small bridge, you will see her plants flanking both sides of the Capital Paradise pedestrian gate on the right side of the road. Wang walks among her flowers and does business daily from 8.30am to 5pm.
Photo by Dana Cosio-Mercado
Dana is the beijingkids Shunyi Correspondent. Originally from the Philippines, she moved to Beijing via Europe in 2011 with her husband, two sons and Rusty the dog. She enjoys writing, photography, theater, visual arts, and trying new food. In her free time, she can be found exploring the city and driving along the mountains roads of Huairou, Miyun and Pinggu.
