The peony, an emblem of conventional Chinese culture, holds a storied past and extensive significance, making it the title the king of flowers.
Every April, as peonies flower, festivals take place in cities like Heze in Shandong Province and Luoyang in Henan Province.
These occasions draw crowds of visitors, captivated by the flowers splendor, nurturing the growth of the regional tourist sector.Peonies go beyond appeal.
Their roots yield medicinal properties, their petals brew aromatic teas and their seeds produce oil.
In Heze, Shandong, principal peony centers, plentiful blossoms flood both domestic and international markets, infusing fresh vitality into regional economies.
Each year, millions of seedlings and over 260 types of peony-derived products & ranging from seed oil and tea to skincare items & are exported to dozens of nations and regions worldwide.
According to the Peony Industry Development Center of Heze, the total output worth of the peony market in Heze reached 13 billion yuan ($1.8 billion), developing more than 500,000 jobs in 2024.