Luoyang Peony Sea Arrives! A Super Practical Guide for Flower Viewing

Every April, Luoyang becomes the focus of visitors from all over the country. Many tourists come from far and wide just to witness the national beauty and heavenly fragrance of peonies and experience the charm of this ancient capital! Now, Luoyang peonies are blooming one after another—Yao Huang, Wei Zi, Luoyang Red… Today, we recommend several peony gardens you must visit during peak bloom.

Opening hours: 7:00–19:00

Address: No. 1 Longmen Avenue, Luolong District, Luoyang (South of Luoyang Bridge)

China National Garden is located on the ruins of Sui and Tang City on the south bank of the Luo River. It features over a thousand peony varieties and is one of the few thousand-mu peony theme parks in China. Large areas are planted with a single variety, creating a stunning sea of peonies.

Currently, about 300 varieties (145,000 peonies) are in bloom, including the early bloom of Yao Huang, known as the "King of Flowers." The garden has entered its optimal viewing period. Over the next week, it will reach full bloom, with an estimated 500 varieties (300,000 peonies) in flower, including Dao Dachen, Hua Jing, Shou An Hong, and Yao Huang.

An ancient poem says, "Having seen the vast spring world, the peony remains the king of flowers." By April, when peonies are in full bloom, all colors open continuously, filling the air with fragrance. The large flowers and brilliant hues exude elegance, and the delicate aroma is refreshing.

Sui and Tang City Ruins Botanical Garden

Opening hours: April 1–May 5, daily 7:00–19:00

Address: 200 meters south of Wangcheng Bridge, Luolong District, Luoyang

This comprehensive botanical garden integrates science, recreation, and sightseeing, based on Luoyang's mountains, waters, plants, and Sui-Tang city ruins. It features over 1,200 peony varieties in ten color series. Key viewing areas include Baihua Garden, Jiuse Terrace, Special Garden, and Science Demonstration Garden. Rare varieties such as Dan Jing Hong, Xi Shi, Guan Shi Mo Yu, Yan Rong, and Dou Lü are present. Large Luoyang Red plants and century-old purple-spotted giant peonies are also entering full bloom.

Besides peonies, weeping peach, green peach, and cherry blossoms are at their peak, along with over 10,000 crabapple blooms in the Crabapple Garden. By mid-April, over 800 varieties (160,000 peonies) will be in full bloom.

Address: No. 312 Zhongzhou Middle Road, Xigong District, Luoyang

Bus routes: 102, 103, 101, 15, 40, 9, 59, 50, 19, 11, 10 to Wangcheng Park Station

Self-driving: Lianhuo Expressway → Luoyang West → Wangcheng Avenue → Wangcheng Park; Erguang Expressway → Luoyang → Zhongzhou Road → Wangcheng Park

Wangcheng Park covers nine color series and ten flower types, with over 800 varieties (130,000 peonies). Nearly 10,000 peonies are over a century old, producing abundant blooms—some plants yield over a hundred flowers, creating a spectacular view. It also features foreign peonies like Fang Ji, with large, colorful flowers reaching about 1.8 meters tall, and the bicolor Dao Jin, which produces two colors on one stem or two colors on one flower.

Compared to previous years, this year's peony bloom is about five days earlier. Currently, nearly 500 varieties (70,000 peonies) are in bloom. Over the next week, varieties such as Shou An Hong, Yu Ji Yan Zhuang, Sheng Dan Lu, and Ge Jin Zi will bloom. Additionally, the park will introduce alpine peonies to ensure continuous blooms during the Peony Culture Festival.

Wangcheng Park also offers diverse activities, such as the Wangcheng Spring 12th Flower Arrangement Exhibition from April 11 to May 5, supplemented potted peonies later.

Address: 1,500 meters west of the intersection of National Highway 310 and Wangcheng Avenue, Laocheng District, Luoyang

National Peony Garden, also known as China Luoyang National Peony Gene Bank, collects domestic peony horticultural varieties and introduces foreign cultivars, now a key attraction of the Luoyang Peony Culture Festival.

Currently, nearly 40 early-blooming varieties (23,000 peonies), such as Feng Dan Bai, Cai Hui, Huo Lian Jin Dan, Lan Yue Liang, and Er Qiao, are blooming in succession. By the Qingming Festival holiday, the number of blooming peonies will increase to nearly 60 varieties (over 40,000).

Thousands of large, full peonies rise above the lush plants. Multicolored petals sway in the spring light, and a rich floral fragrance flows among the branches.

Address: No. 22 Airport Road, Laocheng District, Luoyang (100 meters west of the roundabout at Airport Road and Wangcheng Avenue)

Luoyang International Peony Garden centers on Luoyang's premium peonies, gathering renowned domestic and foreign peony varieties, and is famous for "excellent varieties, many late blooms, long flowering period, and beautiful scenery."

Not competing with other flowers for early spring, peonies bloom only when spring is deep. When spring fills the earth, peonies reveal their sweet smiles. A gentle breeze passes, and the expanse of peonies ripples with bright waves, one wave chasing the next, like beautiful maidens dancing to a happy tune.

Address: No. 3 Luobai Road, Luolong District, Luoyang (opposite the White Horse Temple)

Shenzhou Peony Garden gathers the finest peonies from around the world and seasonal flowers from all seasons in one garden. "A divine, magical, and sacred land; a sea of flowers reflecting the sky." Here, you can not only see the elegant national peony every day but also enjoy an ideal place for peony viewing and leisure travel.

Gazing intently at the gorgeous peonies, one cannot help but imagine—the sea of flowers under the sun seems to be awakening in splendor.

"Everyone has a love of beauty." In April, Luoyang's peonies, with their elegance and richness, deeply move visitors from afar, capturing the beautiful moment of "peony and face reflecting each other in red."

Address: Intersection of Nanchang Road and Jiudu Road, Jianxi District, Luoyang

Xiyuan Park fully utilizes its "Jiangnan" style landscape, using plant landscaping techniques to plant nearly 200 peony varieties (over 15,000 plants) from nine color series near the water and along the slopes.

Based on peony growth habits and this year's weather, the best viewing period for early and mid-blooming varieties is April 1–10, and for mid and late-blooming varieties, April 8–18.

Specialty peonies at Xiyuan Park include Hua Hudie, Sichuan Hei Kui, and Jiao Rong San Bian. Japanese peonies such as Chu Wu, Hai Huang, and Dao Jin are also worth seeing. Over the next week, traditional peony varieties like Er Qiao, Xiang Yu, Hu Hong, Shan Hu Tai, Shi Ba Hao, and Chun Hong Jiao Yan will enter their optimal viewing period.

Address: Mudan Road, Jianxi District, Luoyang

Peony Park is a comprehensive recreational park featuring Luoyang peony culture, modern garden architecture, and water entertainment. It is a major attraction during the Luoyang Peony Culture Festival.

Currently, early-blooming peonies are in full bloom. During the week after the Qingming holiday, peony varieties such as Luoyang Red, Er Qiao, Yulan Piaoxiang, Dao Jin, Hua Wang, and Hai Huang will be at their best, creating a "sea of peonies."

Overall, the best time for flower viewing is before April 15. On the east side of the rockery, there is a viewing point for Shi Yang Jin and Japanese peonies; Ying Yuan is for foreign peonies; and the Ancient Peony Garden is for century-old peonies.

Luoyang's soil is most suitable for flowers,

Especially peonies, unmatched in the world.

We can hardly wait to see the peonies in full bloom!

Let us look forward to Luoyang becoming the "City of Peonies" soon!