Peony cultural festival kicks off in central China province

ZHENGZHOU - A peony cultural festival is being held from April 5 to May 5 in the city of Luoyang, Central China's Henan province, according to the provincial government information office.

Considering the epidemic control situation currently, this year's peony festival was launched both online and offline.

Luoyang has come up with a 24-hour online livestreaming campaign of the flowers to present the peony culture, local culture, peony industry, and the cityscape to the audiences from home and abroad.

The livestreaming started at 10 am on Monday, and it will be updated every day.

Liu Wankang, mayor of Luoyang, said a series of events, including sending the peony to the medics and poetry competition themed with peony will be held during the festival.

Luoyang has also made full preparations for tourists coming to enjoy the flowers. Each peony garden will be strictly managed. The daily number of tourists will not exceed 50 percent of its maximum carrying capacity. Health codes, body temperature measurement, and wearing masks are required to enter the garden.

As an imperial capital during 13 dynasties, Luoyang claims to have the country's best peonies. The flower was a favorite of royal families for its luxuriant blossom, which came to symbolize prosperity and wealth.

The city has hosted the annual festival since 1983. Selected as the national intangible cultural heritage, the festival is also Luoyang's name card.

Liu said that Luoyang has three large peony planting belts with a total area of 22,000 hectares and 20 large scale peony gardens, covering nine major colors, 10 flower types and more than 1,200 varieties.