Asia’s Legendary Peony Regions

In the early blush of spring, when the air carries the faint perfume of awakening earth, Asia’s most hallowed gardens come alive in a riot of color. Here, in pockets of ancient civilization and quiet valleys, the peony—the “king of flowers”—has been cultivated for centuries, commanding reverence for its voluptuous blooms and storied past. From the imperial courts of China to Japan’s serene temple gardens, these regions are living testaments to a flower that transcends horticulture, entering the realm of art, tradition, and devotion.

China: The Cradle of Peonies

Luoyang, Henan Province

Nestled in the heart of China’s central plains, Luoyang is a city where history and flora entwine. Dubbed the “Peony Capital of the World,” Luoyang has nurtured these regal blooms for over a millennium. Each spring, the city transforms as thousands of peonies unfurl in a cascade of crimson, gold, and ivory. The Luoyang Peony Festival draws throngs of visitors to the National Peony Garden, where more than 1,200 varieties stand in stately display—some towering like arboreal sculptures, others delicate as porcelain. Walking among them, one senses why the peony became the symbol of wealth, honor, and feminine beauty in imperial China.

Heze, Shandong Province

Further east lies Heze, often called the “Capital of Peonies.” Its sprawling gardens and venerable nurseries trace their lineage back to the Sui Dynasty, offering an unparalleled botanical heritage. Here, the Caozhou Mudan Garden—one of the largest peony gardens in the world—showcases hundreds of cultivars, each named with poetic precision, a living catalog of centuries of cultivation. As visitors wander paths lined with blooms, the city exudes a quiet pride: these flowers are not merely plants; they are an enduring legacy.

Xi’an, Shaanxi Province

Xi’an, the storied cradle of Chinese civilization, is not only famed for the Terracotta Army but also for its delicate peony gardens. The city’s markets, brimming with vibrant blossoms in spring, hint at a society that treasures beauty as deeply as history. Here, each bloom carries whispers of dynasties past, embodying both elegance and resilience.

Japan: Poetic Petals in Serene Landscapes

Kyoto

In Japan, the peony is revered less for grandeur than for its subtle elegance. Kyoto, with its temples and traditional gardens, offers a serene theater for these blooms. At Tenryu-ji Temple, peonies emerge among moss-covered stones and reflective ponds, their vivid colors mirrored in tranquil waters. In the hush of early morning, the petals seem to hold secrets of centuries of poets, gardeners, and emperors who once roamed these paths.

Sukagawa, Fukushima Prefecture

Sukagawa Peony Garden, a ten-hectare haven established in 1766, has earned the status of a nationally designated Place of Scenic Beauty. Here, thousands of plants across nearly 300 species unfold their blossoms in a choreography that has captivated generations. Visitors are often struck not only by the visual spectacle but by the gentle hum of cultural memory embedded in each flower.

Hokkaido

Farther north, Hokkaido’s cooler climes allow peonies to flourish in a delayed, dramatic bloom. The long summer days and crisp air coax each flower into a striking display, emphasizing the delicate balance between resilience and beauty. Nurseries across the island cultivate these blooms with meticulous care, sending them across Japan and beyond.

South Korea: Tradition Meets Bloom

Gyeongju

Known as a “museum without walls,” Gyeongju’s ancient temples and gardens are ideal settings for peonies. The city harmonizes its historical gravitas with floral splendor, a reminder that beauty in Korea is often a marriage of past and present. Each spring, the Gyeongju National Museum celebrates the peony through art and exhibition, translating botanical wonder into cultural narrative.

Jeju Island

On Jeju Island, subtropical breezes and volcanic soils nurture peonies of striking variety. During the local Peony Festival, the island transforms into a tapestry of color, scent, and artistry, with blooms that seem to glow against the backdrop of cerulean seas and emerald landscapes.

Seoul

Even in the metropolis of Seoul, peonies find their place. Botanical gardens and urban nurseries showcase premium varieties, proving that even in a city of skyscrapers, the delicate drama of a peony can capture attention, commanding respect amid the urban rush.

Asia’s premier peony regions are more than horticultural havens; they are chapters in a living story. In Luoyang, Heze, Kyoto, Sukagawa, and beyond, each bloom is a bridge between past and present, art and nature, human devotion and floral majesty. To witness them in season is to walk among centuries of beauty, to inhale not just the fragrance of petals, but the very essence of cultural heritage.