This autumn, six large cat sculptures made from living plants, grasses and chrysanthemums have appeared in Beijing’s parks and streets. The installations, which locals and tourists have dubbed “the six capital cats” or “京城六咪”, have been rapidly gaining popularity on social media since the end of October 2026, prompting visitors to go on a “hunt” for photos with each of them.
The first to attract attention were “Pengpeng” in Ritan Park — a three-and-a-half-metre fluffy cat made of wild grass with a bell around its neck — and “Fudo’er” in Beihai Park: a striped cat among chrysanthemums, as if playing with a butterfly. Then came “Yuangugou” near Caishikou subway station, a calico cat at the Xidan intersection, a green cat in Jingshan Park and, finally, a big ginger cat in Zhongshan Park among golden ginkgoes. Each figure differs in material and character, but all blend organically into the autumn scenery of the ancient gardens and red walls.
The sculptures were created by park service staff specifically for the 47th Beijing Chrysanthemum Exhibition and autumn events. Engineers and gardeners chose images that appeal to both young people and families with children: soft shapes, bright details made of succulents and small flowers, and harmony with the surrounding nature. After each new cat is installed, visitor numbers rise noticeably — in Ritan Park alone, more than 320 thousand people visited during the National Day week, 82 percent more than a year earlier.
City residents and tourists are mapping out “cat-collecting” routes, sharing photos on social media and noting that these cute figures give the austere imperial gardens an unexpected warmth and playfulness. Unlike the majestic pagodas and palaces, the plant cats look homely and approachable, creating the feeling that in the city one can simply “pet” an elusive little creature.
Such installations show how modern urban spaces use living materials to bring historical sites closer to everyday life and attract new generations of visitors without harming nature.
