A little piece of Hastings will be recreated in Guilin to mark a 30-year sister city relationship.
The foundation stone has been laid for a Hastings garden which will represent mana whenua and the bond between the two cities.
Mayor Lawrence Yule and councillors and staff from Hastings District Councilare in Guilin as part of a goodwill delegation.
The trip also marks the 30th anniversary of the sister city relationship, the first to be established between China and New Zealand. A delegation from Guilin visited Hastings earlier this year.
The new garden in the Guilin Botanical Gardens will include representations of a number of Hastings landmarks, including the clock tower and fountain, and a replica of a typical New Zealand house.
Mr Yule said the garden would enhance the bond between the cities. "Hastings has the Osmanthus Gardens at Cornwall Park - it is fitting that a garden representing this region be developed in Guilin.
"In fact it is a wonderful idea and we look forward to the bonus of more engagement with Guilin."
The garden will include large grassed areas and construction was expected to begin early in 2012.
