The 41st China Luoyang Peony Culture Festival Kicks Off in Grand Style

Opening ceremony, photo by Zeng Xianping

The 41st China Luoyang Peony Culture Festival got underway at the Shangyanggong Cultural Industrial Park in Luoyang, Henan, on April 1.

Opening dance, photo by Lu Bo

Hanfu show, photo by Lu Bo

The opening ceremony included a series of short online videos that were coordinated with digital communications methods designed to expand the reach of the Peony Culture Festival, and Luoyang's rich cultural heritage was on full display during event performances, which also showcased opportunities for tourism, the splendor of the Tang Dynasty, the beauty of peonies, and the unique charm of industrial ruins.

A tourist dressed in traditional Hanfu pauses to capture the moment, photo by Zhang Yuqing

Immersive flower appreciation lies at the heart of this year’s Peony Culture Festival, which is also looking to reach more people, showcase unique products, and boost the consumption potential of cultural tourism with online coverage, with the ultimate goal of realizing Luoyang's full potential for cultural tourism and bolstering its appeal and influence.

Peonies in full bloom, photo by Zhang Yuqing

This year's Luoyang Peony Culture Festival's flower appreciation event will continue until May 5 and include a wide variety of unique activities. The ‘Meeting in the Divine Capital: Walking in the Sea of Flowers’ activity will give visitors an opportunity to immerse themselves in a sea of blossoms and visitors can also go on a ‘Captivating Journey Through the Eastern Capital of Museums.’ Other colorful activities include ‘Greeting Guests in the Flourishing Tang Dynasty,’ the ‘Grand Ceremony of Flowers,’ and the Hanfu parade. Popular tourist attractions like the Luoyi Ancient City, Sui and Tang Dynasties Luoyang National Relics Park, and the Longmen Grottoes will also be hosting special night sessions and organizing thematic routes and activities for springtime flower-viewing. Finally, the various counties and districts of Luoyang have gotten together for a series of collaborative events aimed at integrating tourism development in the local regions.