XI'AN, Oct - The 178-day Xi'an International Horticultural Exposition in northwest China's Shaanxi province has attracted over 15 million visitors and will conclude on October 22, the event's organizers said Wednesday.

The expo had attracted a record-setting 15 million visitors as of October 16, surpassing the organizers' expectations of 12 million, according to the expo's executive committee.

Since the opening of the expo on April 28, visitors have feasted their eyes on abundant flowers and a wide variety of gardening styles from both China and abroad.

The renovation of the 400-hectare expo site, including the construction of a horticultural park and a theme park of renowned movies, will start on October 23 and the spaces will be opened to the public on April 28, 2012, organizers said.

"I am looking forward to the theme park, as I'm sure it will become a popular tourism attraction and fill the void of interactive, high-tech tourist products in Xi'an," said Lu Renyi, professor with Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology.