China - The city of Luoyang, the capital of peony with a history of more than 1,500 years of flower cultivation, is in its prime when peonies are in full bloom.
Since the Tang Dynasty (618 - 907), peonies have been planted in imperial gardens and gradually spread throughout the country. Today, peonies are China's national flower.
Luoyang, a city in central Henan Province, once the capital of the Tang Dynasty, is known as the "capital of peonies" and is also an ideal place to see this flower bloom in late spring. Every year in late April and early May, Luoyang holds a Peony Festival.
Among the flower viewing spots, the National Peony Garden is considered the top destination. The garden is located in Mongshan Town, on the outskirts of Luoyang. It also serves as a seed bank, preserving the rich diversity of the national flower. In addition to tourists, the garden also attracts many researchers.
Last year, the garden grafted 300 mature peonies. This place is a testament to Luoyang's peony heritage.
Divided into two areas, north and south, the garden is home to hundreds of thousands of flowers, including native Chinese varieties and rare varieties imported from Japan, America, and France. Famous for their smooth petals, striking colors, and fragrance, the peonies here provide a mesmerizing scene for tourists.
Visitors can stroll through pavilions, tree-lined walkways, and paths decorated with sculptures, artificial waterfalls, winding streams, and stone corridors, listening to the history and symbolic meaning of peonies, deepening the cultural value of the place.
There are more than 1,200 varieties of peonies, with about 200,000 plants, in many colors such as red, white, pink, yellow, purple, and even colored varieties such as green or black.
There are also "mosaic peony" trees with multi-colored flowers, enriching the visual experience.
The peony season in Luoyang usually lasts for about 40 days, from early April to mid-May. Held since 1983, the peony festival has become the largest festival activity in Luoyang and one of the four major festivals in China.
This year's peony festival lasts until April 30 and includes many activities. Visitors can participate in 10 main events and 35 related activities, introducing peonies, traditional Hanfu fashion, music, outdoor activities, and shopping. In addition, many folk-art performances are held in the gardens.
The peony festival is also an opportunity to display works of photography, painting, calligraphy, or handicrafts inspired by the national flower. Peony products such as tea (photo), confectionery, essential oils, and souvenirs are also abundant.
Luoyang City is 4 hours from Beijing and 8.5 hours from Shanghai by train. There are also flights between these cities. Besides admiring peonies, tourist attractions that visitors can combine to visit include the White Horse Temple and the Longmen Grottoes.
(according to CGTN, ChinaDaily)