QR code made out of 130,000 carefully trimmed trees needs to be scanned from the sky

And it actually works.
 By 
Yvette Tan
 on 
Original image replaced with Mashable logo
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

People in China are really, really into QR codes.

A village in northern China has created a giant QR code made of intricately trimmed trees, in an effort to boost local tourism.

The Xilinshui village in Hebei used 130,000 Chinese juniper trees to create the square code, which measures 227m (744 ft) along each side, according to a report by Chinese state media outlet People's Daily.

The trees range from 80cm to 2.5 metres in height.

But the most important question of all surely is: Can the code actually be scanned?

Yes -- and no.

When we tried scanning the code on its own, it wouldn't work. But after artificially brightening the picture, bingo!

Original image replaced with Mashable logo
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable
Original image replaced with Mashable logo
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

After scanning it, you'll get directed to Xilinshui's official tourism page on WeChat, China's biggest messaging app.

Original image replaced with Mashable logo
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

The QR code is, according to news outlet Xinhua, designed to be scanned from the air as people fly over on their way to Beijing. We're guessing that'll need quick reflexes, a steady hand and perfect sunny weather.

QR codes are extremely popular across China and are used everywhere, by retailers, street markets and even buskers.

And now you can add huge fields to that list, too.

Mashable Image
Yvette Tan

Yvette is a Viral Content Reporter at Mashable Asia. She was previously reporting for BBC's Singapore bureau and Channel NewsAsia.

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