Riverside Floral Life Plaza in Nantong. [Photo/Nantong Daily]

The Riverside Floral Life Plaza along the waterfront in Nantong, Jiangsu province, has continued to captivate visitors since its debut during the May Day holiday, quickly becoming the top choice for residents and tourists seeking a weekend getaway and a picturesque spot to explore.

This vibrant riverside space spans approximately 8,500 square meters and offers a delightful blend of a free market, quality lifestyle offerings, plant sales, and themed activities.

Among its attractions, the One Flower plant gallery is particularly popular with young people. The store is beautifully adorned with tomato vines heavy with green fruit and charming, plump succulents. In addition to selling unique plants and gardening supplies, it regularly hosts hands-on workshops and educational gardening activities.

Many locals have said, "It's so pleasant to take a walk by the river, buy affordable plants, and enjoy a cup of coffee." The owner, Jiang Yingying, said, "We aim to integrate natural aesthetics into everyday life, allowing people to experience relaxation and poetry by purchasing flowers and sipping coffee." Jiang added that the flowers initially attract many customers, who later return to participate in the workshops.

On sunny weekends, artistic enclosures, unique stalls, and trunk markets are arranged in an appealing manner, with flowers and greenery beautifully complementing the river view. Families pitch tents on the grass, children play and run, while adults enjoy tea and engage in conversation. Nearby, groups of young people gather around cars, playing guitars as the river breeze carries the scent of flowers.

The newly added One Flower coffee shop and light-dining restaurant further enhances the lively atmosphere — a tent-shaped wooden cabin perched above the floral sea, surrounded by art installations shaped like paper airplanes and envelopes, enticing visitors to stop and take photos.

As ecological greenery meets the vibrancy of daily life and artistic flair blends seamlessly into everyday routines, the city's riverside is being beautifully redefined.