How to Experience the Luoyang Peony Festival – A Complete Guide

Every spring, Luoyang comes alive with blooming peonies and festive energy. 

From early April to early May, the city hosts the Luoyang Peony Cultural Festival. Peak bloom usually falls between April 15th and 25th, drawing crowds from across the country and beyond to admire the vibrant flowers and peony-themed performances.

Content Preview

• Top 4 Gardens
• Best Things to Do
• Tickets and Travel Tips

Top 4 Gardens to See Peonies in Luoyang

1.China National Flower Garden (中国国花园) – Best All-Round Choice

• Blooming season: early April to early May (typically April 6–May 5)
• Ticket: RMB 40 (USD 5.50 / SGD 7.50)
• Location: Near Luoyang Museum, Luolong District
• Transportation: About 25 minutes by car from Luoyang Longmen Railway Station
• Duration: 1.5 h-2 h

Located near the Luoyang Museum, China National Flower Garden is the largest peony-themed garden in the country. The park has two gates, and we suggest entering through the west gate to see the peonies.

China National Flower Garden

With over 1,000 varieties planted across spacious grounds, even during busy weekends, you can always find a quiet corner for your perfect photo — your own little piece of peony heaven.

Strolling through its serene paths, you'll feel like walking in a sea of blossoms. This garden is perfect for couples and photography lovers who want to enjoy and capture the beauty of peonies.

Compared to other gardens, it has a longer blooming season and a wider variety of peony species. Whether you visit in early April or even during the first week of May, you're almost guaranteed to see flowers in bloom.

2.Wangcheng Park (王城公园) – Best for Families with Kids

• Blooming season: early to late April (typically April 5–25)
• Ticket: RMB 50 (USD 6.90 / SGD 9.20) during the Peony Festival, includes zoo and amusement rides
• Location: Xigong District, Luoyang
• Transportation: 20 minutes by car from Luoyang Longmen Station
• Duration: 1.5 h–3 h

Wangcheng Park is the main venue of the Luoyang Peony Festival and one of the oldest and most iconic peony gardens in the city. It's especially known for its early bloomers and a rich display of traditional Chinese peony varieties. 

As you wander through the garden, you'll come across some rare surprises like black and green peonies. Among the vibrant peonies, you'll find the Peony Fairy statue stands gracefully as one of the park's most beloved photo spots.

Green Peony

Kids will love exploring the zoo within the park, where they can watch red pandas stand up and meet their gaze, peacocks fan out their dazzling tail feathers, and red-crowned cranes gracefully preening themselves. They can also hop on the amusement rides or take a break in beautiful pavilions in the park.

While you take in the vibrant peony displays, your kids can enjoy a day of fun and discovery among animals and rides in Wangcheng Park. It's a great choice for the family trip.

3.Sui-Tang City Ruins Botanical Garden (隋唐城遗址植物园) – Best Mixed Flower Garden

• Blooming season: April 10–April 25 (some varieties bloom until early May)
• Ticket: RMB 50 (USD 7 / SGD 9.5) during the Peony Festival
• Location: Near Luoyang Museum, Luolong District
• Transportation: About 15 minutes by car from Luoyang Longmen Station
• Duration: 2 h–3 h

Sui-Tang City Ruins Botanical Garden offers a rich combination of history and natural beauty. Here, peonies share the spotlight with other spring blossoms like cherry blossoms and crabapples, makes it an ideal spot for visitors who want more than just peonies.

Cherry blossoms and crabapple flowers

Except for flowers, you can enjoy special highlights at night. Soak in spectacular lantern displays, take photos of water-based giant peony installations, and watch traditional iron flower fire performances.

You can also take a traditional wooden boat for a leisurely 15-minute ride (RMB 30 / USD 4.20 / SGD 5.60), drifting past blooming flowers along the tranquil waterways.

4.Luoyang International Peony Garden (国际牡丹园) – Best for Late Bloomers and Fewer Crowds

• Blooming season: mid-April to early May (typically April 15–May 5)
• Ticket: RMB 50 (USD 7 / SGD 9.5) during the Peony Festival
• Location: Near Luoyang Ancient Tomb Museum, Old Town District
• Transportation: 25 minutes by car from Luoyang Longmen Railway Station
• Duration: 1 h–2 h

Luoyang International Peony Garden is one of the best places to catch the late-season peony bloom, especially when most other gardens have already faded. Thanks to its slightly higher elevation and cooler temperatures, the garden's blooming season naturally arrives a bit later.

Beautiful peony

The garden's wide, multi-level flower beds create a striking visual effect, with layers of peonies blooming in waves of color. You can wander deep into the peony fields, capture stunning photos surrounded by flowers, and fully immerse yourself in the floral scenery.

Windbreak forests around the garden help protect the blossoms, giving you a better chance of seeing full, undamaged blooms even after rain or wind. Besides peonies, you'll also spot elegant clusters of Chinese herbaceous peonies (芍药) blooming in harmony.

Because it's set away from the busy city center, the garden sees fewer crowds. You can enjoy the blooming peonies in a peaceful atmosphere and take in the beauty of the season at your own pace.

Best Things to Do During the Festival Beyond the Flower Viewing

Taste Peony-Inspired Treats

When in Luoyang for the Peony Festival, you can indulge in the local treats inspired by the flower's beauty and flavor. Here are some recommended restaurants for the peony food.

Nanbei Liji (南北李记) Peony Pastries featuring nine different flavors, and each pastry is shaped like a blooming peony, with delicate colors and exquisite detail that make them almost too beautiful to eat.

At Wanjingxiang (万景祥), try the Peony Flower Cake. Though simple and unassuming on the outside, the crispy white pastry shell hides a moist, sweet filling made from real peony petals. Handle it carefully to keep the outer layer intact.

For a refreshing drink, Peony Flower Tea offers a light floral aroma and is said to have cooling and beautifying effects. Watching a full peony bloom float gently in hot water is a treat for the eyes as well as the palate.

Peony Flower Tea

Another favorite is the Peony Fresh Milk Tea from Chaxu Mudanting (茶序牡丹亭), made with local milk from White Horse Temple. It carries a subtle peony fragrance, topped with cream and sprinkled with freeze-dried peony petals, making it a feast for both taste and sight.

If you enjoy alcoholic beverages, try Luoyang Peony Beer. It blends floral notes with malt and hops, leaving a lasting peony aroma on your mouth.

Explore the Peony Markets

At Longmen Ancient Street, you'll find a lively peony-themed cultural market. 

The ground is painted with peony blooms, and local vendors sell all kinds of creative souvenirs: peony pastries, scented sachets, fans, bookmarks, fridge magnets, and more. Take your time wandering the market, and you'll find plenty of chances to bring a piece of Luoyang with you.

Beyond souvenirs, you'll also find fresh-cut peonies at morning flower markets, especially outside major peony gardens and in local spots like Zhuangyuan Market. 

These pop-up stalls run from 6 to 9 am, and the earlier you go, the more varieties you'll find — often at surprisingly low prices. For just RMB 20–30 (USD 2.80–4.20 / SGD 3.80–5.70), you can bring home a generous bouquet. It makes for a thoughtful surprise for your partner or a fragrant memory for yourself.

Enjoy Local Performances & Shows

During the Peony Festival, Luoyang comes alive not only with flowers but also with dazzling performances across the city. Expect everything from traditional costume parades and immersive dramas to captivating displays of intangible cultural heritage.

In Sui-Tang City Ruins Botanical Garden, evening shows run daily from 7 to 9 p.m. You'll see breathtaking acts like Da Tiehua (molten iron fireworks), flying fire pots, and weekend-only performance, the fiery Flying Phoenix. Come in the afternoon for the peonies and cherry blossoms, then stay for the night magic.

At China National Flower Garden, you can watch the water show Ode to the Goddess of Luo River at 7:00 pm on Yanxiu Lake. Combining peonies with holographic projections, music, and traditional storytelling, it brings ancient romance to life on a stage of mist and light.

In Luoyi Ancient City, catch the "Heavenly Maidens Scattering Flowers" show every hour from 4:00 to 9:00 pm. Dressed in elegant hanfu, performers are flying gracefully above the river, showering petals onto the crowd below. The entire scene feels like a fairytale brought to life.

If you're visiting in early April, you might witness the Festival Opening Ceremony Drone Show at 8 p.m. above Yingtian Gate. As thousands of drones light up the night sky with images of peonies, dragons, and phoenixes, tradition meets technology in the most spectacular way.

How to Join the Peony Festival – Tickets and Travel Tips

1. Festival Dates & Timing

The Luoyang Peony Festival typically runs from early April to early May, with peak bloom falling between April 15 and 25. This is when the city bursts into color, attracting the largest crowds of the season.

However, the exact timing can shift slightly from year to year depending on weather conditions. 

Peonies are delicate flowers, rain and strong wind can easily damage them. If you're hoping to catch them at their best, it's wise to check with your local guide a few days before your visit for up-to-date bloom forecasts.

2. How to Get Tickets

Peony Festival tickets are sold separately for each garden, and there's no all-in-one pass. Most tickets cost around RMB 40 to 50 (USD 5.5–7 / SGD 7.5–9.5), though some places like the Sui-Tang Ruins Botanical Garden charge extra for special evening shows.

You can buy tickets at the gate or online, but booking in advance through WeChat is highly recommended. It's more convenient and helps you skip long queues during the Peony Festival.

3. How to Get Around Luoyang

Luoyang has both metro and public buses, but during the Peony Festival, crowds can make public transport slow and crowded. 

Private car is often the easiest and most time-saving way to get around, especially if you're planning to visit multiple gardens or evening shows.

For convenience, consider staying overnight in Luolong District, near Longmen Railway Station. It offers easy access to major peony parks as well as top attractions like the Longmen Grottoes. Hotel prices tend to be high during the event, so we recommend booking your hotel in advance.

4. Best Times to Visit

For the best light and fewer crowds, head out in the early morning. Gentle sunshine brings out the peonies' true colors, and you can stop by the morning flower markets to pick up fresh buds.

If you prefer a quieter experience, plan your visit on a weekday to avoid long queues.

Also, try to avoid China's public holidays, especially the Qingming Festival (around April 4) and the May Day holiday (in May 1-5) when both locals and tourists flood the city. 

5. What to Pack

• Camera or smartphone, you may want to capture the stunning blooms and vibrant street scenes.
• Sun hat and sunscreen, the spring sun can be strong during the day.
• Comfortable shoes, expect lots of walking through large garden parks.
• Spacious suitcase, Handy for bringing home souvenirs or fresh-cut peonies.
• Light jacket or long-sleeved top, mornings in April can still be a bit chilly in Luoyang.

6. Local Visiting Tips

(1)When enjoying the flowers, avoid touching or picking the blooms.

(2)If you're buying fresh-cut peonies, feel free to ask the vendors for care tips. Most are friendly locals and happy to help.

(3)If you want to take photos with visitors dressed in traditional hanfu, always ask politely before snapping a picture or requesting a pose.

(4)Don't be surprised by the so-called "black peonies", cause they're actually a very deep red, not truly black.

(5)Keep in mind that peonies are sensitive to weather. A warm early spring may cause them to bloom sooner, while heat or rain during peak season can make them fade quickly. Starting from early April, the blossoms can change dramatically from one day to the next, so timing matters.

(6)If you have allergies, especially hay fever or pollen sensitivity, avoid visiting Luoyang between March and May. If you still want to enjoy the peony blooms, be sure to wear a mask and bring your allergy medication.

Enjoy the Beauty of the Peonies with Us

Experience the magic of Luoyang's Peony Festival with us, let the beauty of China's national flower leave you with unforgettable memories. Contact us to plan your journey now and see Luoyang in full bloom.