Luoyang Peony Festival_Beijing Tours-OneTourChina

Known in China as 'The Capital of Nine Dynasties,' Luoyang hold the annual Luoyang International Peony Tourism Festival from April 8 to May 8 since year 1982.

Beautiful and fragrant, the mudan peony is a symbol of happiness and prosperity in China, as well as the country's national flower. Ever since the Tang Dynasty (618-907), Luoyang peonies have been renowned for their noble beauty. Every year, in the middle of April, the peonies bloom all over the city.

There are many stories about the peony, and one of them tells of the peony's defiance of the rich and powerful, and its refusal to yield to brute force.

One snowy day in 691, Empress Wu Zetian issued an edict on a whim to ask all the flowers in her garden to bloom during the night for her walk the next day. Awed by the power of the empress, all the plants in her garden began to bud and bloom that night, except the peonies. The empress flew into a rage and had all the peonies in the Tang capital of Chang'an "banished" to Luoyang. However, the peonies took root in Luoyang and even larger and more beautiful flowers were produced. Since then, Luoyang has been called the Home of the Peonies.

Over the past years, thanks to improvements in the technology of peony cultivation, the flower has multiplied from the previous 100 species to more than 700 species today. Their colors range from red, pink, purple, lavender and white to green, yellow, maroon and even black. Cultivating and appreciating peonies have become the local customs, and peony is designated as the city flower of Luoyang. Now Luoyang grows over 500,000 peonies, which fall into over 350 species. “Yaohuang” and “Weizi”peonies are named as the “king” and “queen” of peonies.

During the peony festival, Luoyang holds a wide variety of activities, such as a large-scale theatrical performance, peony fairs, lantern fairs, the exhibitions of calligraphy, paintings and photos, symposiums and trade talks. Tourists can appreciate beautiful peonies at the Wangcheng Park and the Botanical Garden while tasting delicious food at the Peony Banquet, as well as various local snacks.

*Where to See Peonies in Luoyang?
During the festivals, tourists can go these places to enjoy peonies in Luoyang: Shengzhou Peony Park, Wangcheng Park, China National Flowers’ Park, Botanical Garden on the Sui and Tang Ruins, National Peony Garden, International Peony Garden, Luoyang Peony Garden, Luoyang National Flower Garden, Tulip Garden, Xiyuan Park (including the Peony Lantern Fair), and Peony Park etc.

*How much for the Peony Park Entrance Ticket?
According to the flowering phases of the peonies and different parks (or gardens), all the ticket prices range from 20RMB to 50RMB per person.

*What to See in Luoyang Apart from the Peonies?
Apart from admiring the beauty of the peonies, tourists can visit the famous attractions in or around, such as Longmen Grottoes which has been included in the world cultural heritage list, White Horse Temple, Cemetery of Guan Yu, Museum of Ancient Tombs, etc.

            King Peony                                                  Queen Peony
       Zixiaguan

Zi Xia Guan Peony Kui Hua Hong Peony
*How to Reach Luoyang?
By train: various of shifting train, between Xian and Zhengzhou, stop at Luoyang Longmen for 2min, 380km, taking 1hr 58min.
By flight: can be reached from main destination cities, like Beijing, Xian, Shanghai.
By bus: depends on where you started from, if in Zhengzhou, taking it at Railway Station or Long-distance Bus Station, 30min shift.

*Is there any day tour started from Xian?
Yes, OneTourChina prepared carelly for you several lines of day tour, you can check them one by one:

1. Luoyang Longmen Grottoes and Shaolin Temple 1 Day tour by train from Xian
2. Luoyang Peony and Grottes 1 Day tour by train from Xian
3. Shaolin Temple 1 Day Round Trip by train from Xian

China Guide

Luoyang Peony Festival