Admiring flowers in spring is a cherished romantic tradition in China. Among the riot of colors, the peony, known as the "King of Flowers," holds a special place in people's hearts. For generations, it has symbolized happiness, prosperity, and good fortune, becoming a cultural icon that has endured for thousands of years. Today, peony festivals, new varieties, and even peony-themed cuisine celebrate this iconic bloom. With the support of geographical indication (GI) protection, these beauties are now valued not only for their elegance but also for their economic potential. This spring, we've prepared a guide to some of China's most distinctive GI peonies—follow the trail and discover how a single flower can tell the story of its land.
Ancient peonies bloom anew
Several Han peonies, known as "living fossils of peonies," have been growing for over 2,000 years in Baixiang County's Han Peony Garden, which covers more than 700 mu. Their longevity owes much to the region's unique water conditions, favorable climate, and scientific cultivation techniques. The peony is famed for its rare trait of producing different flowers on the same plant while failing to thrive elsewhere, which has long been celebrated in local folklore. Over time, a cultural tradition has been inspired to symbolize integrity, loyalty, and uprightness. In recent years, Baixiang County has worked to develop a thriving Han Peony cultural industry. Efforts include hosting the Han Peony Cultural Festival and promoting the "Han Peony" brand to enhance the reputation of this GI product. At the same time, the county has fostered related industries such as peony-themed brush paintings, peony porcelain, peony tea, peony oil, and peony cultural and creative products. Today, the sector integrates seedling cultivation, product development, deep processing, and tourism, generating an annual output value of over 23 million yuan.
Name: Baixiang Han Peony
Origin: Baixiang County, Xingtai, Hebei Province
Status: GI certification trademark
Withered branches bring prosperity
In Biancang Town, the unusual sight of peonies blooming from seemingly withered branches is nothing new. Bright blossoms emerge alongside fresh green leaves and slender, withered stems—forming the distinctive withered-branch peony variety, famous for its rare and lively appearance. Thanks to the region's favorable natural environment and generations of traditional cultivation techniques, this unique variety has flourished for more than 700 years. Its registration as a GI certification trademark has further strengthened its reputation as a signature local product. Today, the peony industry in Biancang has expanded far beyond ornamental cultivation. From off-season forcing technology to peony-themed cultural products and deep-processed goods, and from agriculture to tourism, the peony industry has promoted diversified development with the help of GI protection, bringing new prosperity to local communities.
Name: Biancang Withered-Branch Peony
Origin: Biancang Town, Tinghu District, Yancheng, Jiangsu Province
Status: GI certification trademark
Fengdan fragrance fills the city
Known as one of Anhui's four famous medicinal herbs, Fengdan Peony is prized for its multiple uses. Its flowers are admired for their beauty, its roots are used in traditional medicine, its seeds yield nutritious oil, its stamens can be brewed into tea, and its petals can be distilled into aromatic extracts. To unlock the full potential of Fengdan, Tongling has prioritized technological innovation and strengthened collaboration among universities, research institutes, and enterprises. Several innovation platforms, including a provincial research center for enterprises and demonstration bases for science and technology specialists, have been established to advance the industry toward scaled-up, standardized, and brand-driven development. Today, Fengdan cultivation in Tongling covers more than 5,000 mu, with its annual output exceeding 350 million yuan. In neighboring Nanling County, Hewan Town serves as a core area for Fengdan full-chain development, integrating cultivation, processing, branding, and cultural tourism. The peony is gradually evolving from a purely ornamental flower into a consumer product that can be appreciated, eaten, and used.
Name: Fengdan Peony
Origin: Shun'an Town and Zhongming Town in Tongling, and Hewan Town of Nanling County in Wuhu, Anhui Province
Status: National GI product
Seas of peonies fuel an industry
As preparations are underway for the 35th Heze International Peony Cultural Tourism Festival, peony gardens across the city are busy getting ready for the annual bloom. Known as the "Peony Capital of China," Heze has cultivated 1,308 varieties of ornamental peonies, spanning nine color groups and ten flower forms. To further strengthen the industry, the city has introduced a local standard for this GI product, while implementing the regulations on promoting the development of the peony industry, establishing a comprehensive system covering resource protection, brand building, quality supervision, cultural promotion, and service support. Today, the peony sector in Heze employs more than 100,000 people, with products exported to over 30 countries and regions, including the United States, France, and Japan. The once purely ornamental flower has blossomed into a thriving industry benefiting the local economy.
Name: Heze Peony
Origin: Heze, Shandong Province
Status: GI certification trademark
Peonies in bloom win global fame
Since the Sui Dynasty, peonies have adorned the spring landscape of Luoyang while giving rise to a rich cultural heritage. The China Luoyang Peony Culture Festival, now held for more than four decades, has helped make the city's peonies famous worldwide. Building on its strengths in culture, science, resources, and ecology, Luoyang has continuously advanced the peony industry through specialized cultivation, improved breeding programs, and the development of value-added products. Efforts to promote the "Luoyang Peony" brand are also gaining momentum. By standardizing the use of GI labels and encouraging companies to participate in international GI exhibitions and exchanges, the city is further enhancing the reputation of this iconic brand—ensuring that Luoyang Peony continues to delight visitors and households alike.
Name: Luoyang Peony
Origin: Luoyang, Henan Province
Status: GI certification trademark