Exploring the 'perfect conjugal bliss' of Luoyang, central China (2)

Flowers in full bloom: Peonies of Luoyang

Design by: Chizao

In a poem by Liu Yuxi (772-842) from the Tang Dynasty (618-907), the blossoms of peonies draw visitors from across the capital. Celebrated as the "queen of flowers," the peony symbolizes wealth and prosperity in Chinese culture, cherished by the Chinese since antiquity. The painting "Twenty-four Peony Varieties" by Qian Weicheng (1720-1772), a court painter of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), showcases a diverse array of the flower's varieties and colors in bloom.

Boasting a 1,500-year tradition of peony cultivation, Luoyang hosts the Peony Cultural Festival, an annual celebration of the flower's blossoming. The festival features curated activities that offer immersive tourist experiences and new technology to boost Luoyang's appeal to tourists, nurture a deeper integration of culture and tourism, and stimulate consumption.

"Twenty-four Peony Varieties" by Qian Weicheng.

Talented individuals have seized opportunities to carve out their fortunes in the thriving cultural and creative industries. Li Xuewu, a local artist who employs ancient porcelain-making techniques to create modern peony-themed decorations, started his cultural company in 2009.

Peony porcelain combines ancient porcelain-making techniques with modern design, making it China’s national gift to foreign leaders. (Photo provided by Li Xuewu)

Each year, over 50,000 peony-themed porcelain pieces are sold both in China and internationally, generating an annual revenue of over 60 million yuan ($8.3 million). Li's artwork has been selected by the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs as national gifts for foreign leaders, and his peony-porcelain jewelry was warmly received by the spouses of foreign presidents at the 2018 Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit in Qingdao.