Henan's peonies bring out poetry in nation's culture

A visitor dressed in traditional hanfu poses among peonies at a park in Luoyang, Henan province. (ZHU XINGXIN/CHINA DAILY)

Only the peony truly displays the colors of the nation,

When it blooms, it captivates the entire capital.

The vivid description by the renowned Tang Dynasty (618-907) poet Liu Yuxi captures the enchanting scene of peonies in full bloom and still rings true today.

Every April, the peony gardens of Luoyang in Henan province come alive as over 1,000 varieties burst into bloom, drawing visitors from home and abroad.

Aiman Elaabbady, a 20-year-old from Morocco, witnessed the peony spectacle in Luoyang recently. "As soon as I stepped out of the train station, I was greeted by the sight of peonies," he said. "They are incredibly beautiful and mesmerizing.

"For me, being here to witness the diversity of Luoyang's peonies at this time is perfect. I have seen so many different types of peonies, each more vibrant and dazzling than the last, leaving me in awe."

China is the homeland of the peony, and Luoyang's cultivation of these flowers dates back to the Sui Dynasty (581-618). By the Song Dynasty (960-1279), Luoyang's peonies were renowned as the finest in the country. In 1982, the peony was designated as the official city flower.

"I know peonies hold deep significance in China," Elaabbady said. "This is one of the most beautiful times in China. I shared some photos with my family and friends, and they were just as amazed as I was. For me, peonies are like a poem, depicting the ancient and elegant history of this city and the entire country."

The annual Luoyang Peony Festival, which was first held in 1983, opened on April 1, with the peak viewing period lasting until April 30.

"Peonies symbolize wealth and prosperity; they are also my nostalgia and roots," said 73-year-old Li Zhongqin, a local resident. "The peony is the pride of the people of Luoyang and a symbol of our identity."

She has lived here all her life and admires the flowers every year during this season.

Six-year-old Liang Chenxi, dressed in traditional hanfu, visited a peony garden in Luoyang with her mother to take commemorative photos. "I love peonies and traditional culture," she said. "Wearing hanfu for photos fills me with pride."

Luoyang's peonies are not only a natural spectacle, but are also rich in cultural significance, driving the development of related industries. The rising popularity of "flower tourism" continues to inject strong momentum into Luoyang's economic growth. During this year's Qingming Festival holiday, Luoyang received nearly 3.3 million tourists, generating tourism revenue of 2.7 billion yuan ($380 million), marking year-on-year increases of 6.3 percent and 9.4 percent, respectively.