The intermittent drizzle in Rio de Janeiro added a poetic touch on Wednesday to the China Pavilion that wouldn't otherwise be felt beneath a sun-filled azure sky in South America's most visited city.

The distinctly Chinese structure is unlike any other pavilion, large or small, in Athletes Park, a 10-minute walk from the RioCentro convention hall that is the main venue for the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development - also known as Rio+20.

After visiting, Ruben Ngwenya of South Africa said he was impressed by the fine-looking pavilion.

"It was a very good pavilion and also with good technology," Brazilian Tiago Rodrigues de Borros told China Daily after he exited.

Just behind him, atop the arched entrance were two golden characters spelling "China". Against a red background, the color combination symbolized fortune and good luck according to Chinese tradition.

On the two sides was a couplet written by poet Lu You of China's Southern Song Dynasty more than 800 years ago: "Where hills bend, streams wind and the pathway seems to end / Past dark willows and flowers in bloom, lies another village."

It might have been a surprise to some of the 6,000 visitors who have entered the pavilion since it opened on June 13. In a space of 370 square meters, miniature landscapes with flowing water and hills dot two corners of the pavilion, colorful paper butterflies fluttering high. There is much in red: lanterns, Chinese-art knots and wooden screens. Even the guest book is in Chinese red.

Wen Bugao, head of the China Pavilion and an official of the National Development and Planning Commission, said the design incorporates traditional Chinese philosophy about perennial harmony between man and nature. "The design of the garden, with hills, water and other elements, deeply embeds Chinese culture," he explained.

He said visitors have fallen in love with the pavilion and have been impressed by China's progress in sustainable development, as shown on programs playing on several TV monitors and depicted on more than a dozen display boards. In addition, thousands of gifts and leaflets - about China's Agenda 21 (the UN sustainable-development action plan from the 1992 Rio "Earth Summit"), poverty reduction, water and energy conservation, employment promotion, social security and management of ocean resources - have been snapped up by visitors.

Visitors' affection was evident in the pavilion guest book, with the comment "I love China" being most common. "Congratulations, everything is beautiful," a visitor named Julia wrote.

Rodrigues, of Brazil, said he was disappointed that the gift caps, featuring a fan propelled by two small solar panels, had run out by the time he arrived, but three other women came for tiles emblazoned with Chinese culture, art and images of sustainable development.

The pavilion has become livelier since it began hosting a series of side events last week featuring China's sustainable development.

Speakers on Wednesday included top Chinese government and United Nations environmental officials, academics and civil-society leaders. On Thursday and Friday, talks will feature China's challenges and efforts in desertification, poverty reduction, sustainable forestry and a low-carbon economy.

chenweihua@chinadaily.com.cn