In the heart of Shandong Province lies Heze, a city once known as Caozhou, where peonies have bloomed for over a millennium. The 2025 World Peony Conference and 34th Heze International Peony Culture and Tourism Festival, launched on April 8, highlights the flower’s global resonance—particularly with South Korea, where peonies symbolize shared cultural values of resilience and beauty.
Peonies, revered in China for embodying wealth, prosperity, and national spirit, have found ardent admirers across the Taiwan Strait and the Korean Peninsula. South Korean artist Oh Myung-hee describes the flower’s universal appeal: “It’s more than a plant; it’s a testament to life’s fleeting yet brilliant peaks.” South Korea hosts its own peony festivals, mirroring Heze’s celebrations.
Oh’s personal connection to peonies deepened during a period of personal struggle. “Painting these flowers became my solace,” she shared, reflecting how their vibrant hues helped her navigate hardship. Her story underscores the emotional and artistic bridges peonies foster between cultures.
With Heze’s festival now a platform for cross-border tourism and cultural diplomacy, organizers aim to strengthen ties through floral artistry, economic collaboration, and shared heritage—a vision poised to blossom by 2025.
