Beijing has started erecting a large-scale flower terrace on Tian'anmen Square to celebrate this year's National Day on Oct. 1.

About 150 people, 30 trucks and 4 cranes are involved in the decoration.

An official of Beijing Municipal Bureau of Landscape and Forestry said the flower basket will be 17 meters high and at a diameter of 50 meters, while the biggest peony flower could reach 3 meters in diameter.

The overall basket design was inspired by a painting by Ding Liangguang of Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). It's reported that new printing technologies were also used to make the artificial flowers more colorful, vivid and safe.

Flowers used to decorate Chang'an Avenue include 13 species of chrysanthemum, all cultivated domestically.

Beijing Florascape Co., Ltd said the main structure of the central display would be finished on Sept. 23, which will be followed by placing flowers and testing lights during the next two days.

Milestone events such as the Long March, Winter Olympics and World Horticultural Exposition will be featured in 10 flower baskets along the avenue too.