Peonies in Luoyang (86760.com)The peony symbolizes riches, peace and prosperity and, if to equate those attributes to a city, then Luoyang City is the best place to be in China.
Luoyang is located in the west of Henan Province and the name comes from the fact that it is to the south of the Luohe River. (South means "yang" in Chinese).
Founded in Xia Dynasty (c.21st - c.16th century BC), the first dynasty of China, a total of 13 dynasties built capitals in Luoyang, giving it A deserved recognition as an ancient city of history and culture. As almost every family grows peonies, the beautiful fragrance of flowers exudes from all streets and lanes. Luoyang is famous as the "capital of flowers."
The best time for tourism in Luoyang is April when the peony is in full bloom and the annual peony display is held (April 15-25). As part of the occasion, Guose Peony Garden, Peony Garden in Wangcheng Park and Guohua Garden are well-known places for people to feast their eyes on the beautiful flower.
Starting with the first day of the festival, all hotels in the city are filled to capacity.
People of different colors and with different accents are seen in the streets. As if on holiday, Luoyang citizens change into new clothes and hang up lanterns and silk festoons as a welcome to the festive occasion.
Apart from the temple fairs during the daytime and lantern shows at night, there are also various activities with the peony as the theme. They include concerts, ikebana shows, painting exhibitions and film exhibitions, and keep tourists busy deciding on venues.
As hospitable as Luoyang people are, one may not need to bother to inquire about the program of activities but just follow the stream of people. Often local people will offer to guide a tourist to various locations in the city.
With a history of more than 4,000 years, Luoyang boasts a living museum, so, aside from enjoying the wonderful view of peonies, one cannot miss famous scenic spots and historical sites.
In the east of the city is the White Horse Temple, which is acclaimed as the first ancient temple in China, and the museum of the earliest business city excavated in China. In the south is the Longmen Grottoes, one of China's three largest grottoes. In the west is the Hill of Flowers and Fruits, a place mentioned in the Pilgrimage to the West, a Chinese classic. In the north are the Shangqing Palace, a famous Taoist temple, and the Luoyang Museum of Ancient Tombs, the first museum in the world focused on the display of graves.
To resist the dry and cold climate, Luoyang people are fond of soup. The famous Luoyang Water Banquet has already more than 1,000 years of history. The Zhengbutong Restaurant in the old part of the city serves the most orthodox water banquet, which is priced at around 300 yuan. This banquet has 24 courses, being served one course after as flowing water, so one would better invite eight friends or relatives to go and taste it rather than partaking alone.
Transportation Tips:
To the Guose Peony Garden:
Take No. 51 Bus at the Luoyang Railway Station and get off at the Garden
To the Peony Garden in the Wangcheng Park:
Take No. 103, 102, 40 Buses at the Railway Station and get off at the Park
To the Guohua Garden:
Take No. 81 Bus at the Railway Station and get off at the Anle Stop
