"The expo committee is dedicated to providing visitors with a convenient travel experience featuring low-carbon, new materials, interactive and digital technologies with our comprehensive and innovative services," said Li Fengli, secretary-general of the expo's executive committee.

The app is integrated with the online expo tour website. Users can learn about the map and points of interest at the online expo before visiting, setting up a personalized itinerary on the cellphone app. The app organizes information such as starting points, favorite parks, must-sees and duration of visit. Users can also book a cable car or electric touring car.

All the major plants at the expo are labeled with a QR code, which can be scanned by the guide app to allow visitors to read information, including a plant's name, place of origin and characteristics. To provide a wide range of services, the app could also help visitors find additional facility information such as restaurants, hotels, entertainment and transportation.

The expo spreads across 241 hectares, with seven themed parks - Chinese, Floriculture, Herbs, Dreamkids, Science, Green and International - and five experience parks, including tea-scent, agriculture, a floral world and mountain parks.

The 2014 Qingdao horticulture expo will be held from April 25 to Oct 25 in Baiguoshan Forest Park in the city's Licang district. More than 15 million visitors are expected. The event is expected to raise Qingdao's profile on the world stage after it hosted the 2008 Olympic Sailing Regatta.