Peonies

For breathtaking views of blooming peony flowers, the best spots are the Peony Garden and the South Hill at the Garden of Gathered Splendor, the rear garden of Prince Kung's Palace.

The peonies come in a variety of colors and shapes. The optimal blooming period is from mid-April to early May.

Prince Kung Yixin (1833-1898) was fond of peonies, and the Peony Garden became his personal retreat in his later years.

The peony boasts a rich history of cultivation and admiration in China, with records dating back 2,500 years to the Book of Songs. Its divergence from the paeonia genus took place during the Qin and Han dynasties (206 BC-AD 220), while it began to be recognized as an independent ornamental plant during the Northern and Southern Dynasties (420-589).

In 605, during the Sui Dynasty (581-618), the Emperor Yangdi (r. 604-618) established his capital in Luoyang, Henan province, and issued a decree for exceptional flowers to be presented from all corners of the country. This pivotal moment marked the peony's introduction into imperial gardens, signifying its transition from a wild to a cultivated state.