Euphoria Penang dancers entertaining the crowd with a special number during the launch of Gurney Paragon Mall’s Enchanted Blooms Tunnel.
WISTERIA blooms are one of nature’s most spectacular sights.
While the plant is not native to Malaysia, its magic can now be experienced in Penang via the Enchanted Bloom Tunnel installation at Gurney Paragon Mall.
Measuring 24m long and 6m high, the “tunnel” at the mall’s Festive Square has 30,000 cascading stalks of purple wisteria flowers alongside blue and white hydrangeas and green vines.
Reminiscent of the world- famous wisteria tunnel in the Kawachi Fuji Gardens of Kitakyushu, Japan, it looks vibrant by day but soft and dreamy at night.
Dancing lights in shades of lilac, mauve, pink and white recreate the entire spectrum of colours seen in their natural counterparts.
Hunza Properties Group executive director Khor Tze Ming said flowering plants traditionally symbolised romance, longevity and new beginnings.
“We hope visitors will enjoy capturing lots of memories with their loved ones in this whimsical, fairy tale-like tunnel,” she said at the launch.
Joining her for the opening gimmick and tour of the attraction were Bukit Bendera MP Wong Hon Wai, Pulau Tikus assemblyman Chris Lee, Hunza Properties Group founder and executive adviser Datuk Seri Khor Teng Tong and the mall’s chief operations officer Koay Bee Fong.
Lee said the floral tunnel signified Penang’s hope for brighter days ahead following the Covid-19 pandemic, while Wong said it complemented the state’s existing art attractions.
Among the shoppers admiring the scene was Japanese expatriate Tomoko Kadowaki, 38, and her three children aged nine, six and four months.
“The flowers are beautiful and remind me of home,” said the housewife.
The launch also featured a performance by dance group Euphoria Penang.
Khor said the semi-permanent installation would evolve and sport new features each festive season, such as Christmas and Chinese New Year.
There is a Facebook and Instagram photo contest open until Oct 2. Snap a creative shot in the wisteria tunnel and upload it with the hashtag #gpmblooms
Participants will be in the running to win the grand prize of branded luggage, besides 12 consolation prizes.
For details, visit the mall’s social media pages.
