The peony, renowned as "the king of flowers" in Chinese tradition, has grown from a cultural symbol into a multibillion-dollar global industry. Each spring, cities like Heze in Shandong Province and Luoyang in Henan Province transform into floral wonderlands during peony festivals, attracting millions of visitors and boosting regional tourism revenue.
Beyond Petals: A Multipurpose Commodity
While the flowers dazzle tourists, every part of the plant contributes to an expanding value chain. Heze's peony farms produce medicinal roots, delicate teas from petals, and premium seed oil used in cooking and skincare. Over 260 products derived from peonies now reach international markets, with annual exports of millions of seedlings and manufactured goods to dozens of countries and regions.
Economic Roots in Ancient Soil
The Peony Industry Development Center of Heze reports remarkable growth: In 2024, the industry achieved 13 billion yuan ($1.8 billion) in output value while creating over 500,000 jobs. This economic blossoming combines agricultural heritage with modern innovation, as researchers develop new applications from plant biotechnology to sustainable cosmetic formulations.
