The 2008 Wenchuan earthquake left Liu Xianyou's lifelong orchid collection buried under rubble. For many, this would have marked an ending. But for the retired teacher and his son Liu Ming, it became an unexpected beginning. Armed with notebooks and unwavering patience, they combed Sichuan's wilderness, documenting native plants and gathering seeds like precious heirlooms.  

Their quiet dedication grew into something extraordinary—the Wenchuan Botanical Garden. Today, where earthquake debris once lay, over 2,000 plant species thrive amidst sculptures crafted from broken glass and stone. The garden's genius lies in its geography: straddling Tibet's plateau and Sichuan's basin, it recreates nature's diversity—from icy alpine conditions to humid valley microclimates—all within walking distance.  

What began as one man's attempt to salvage his orchids has become a living ark for rare species. The father-son team now plans to expand their collection to 4,000 plants, adding themed zones while maintaining the garden's intimate charm. Seventeen years later, visitors might still spot Liu Xianyou moving thoughtfully between the beds, his hands still tending with the same care that first planted hope in broken ground.  

The Lius’ "plant kingdom"  is a living testament that from great destruction comes extraordinary renewal, and that even the most broken ground can give birth to breathtaking beauty.