QINGDAO -- The "Peony Express" train departs from Qingdao City in Shandong and arrives in Heze, also in Shandong, after a journey of just over three hours.

As spring reaches its peak, the city of Heze is awash in the vibrant colors of blooming peonies, and local authorities have introduced special trains and bus routes to accommodate the surge of visitors eager to experience the spring spectacle, with the flowering season expected to last until late April.

Inside the train, passengers can admire peony-themed decorations, learn about the flower's history, and participate in activities such as intangible cultural heritage paper-cutting, dough figurine making, and tasting peony-flavored pastries.

Upon arrival, visitors can transfer to designated "peony bus routes" that connect the railway station directly to major peony gardens, ensuring a seamless travel experience

One of the most popular destinations is the Caozhou Peony Garden, the city's main peony viewing area. Heze boasts more than 1,300 peony varieties across nine color families and 10 flower types. Particularly notable is a cluster of nearly 1,000 "space peonies," grown from seeds that traveled aboard the Shenzhou-3 spacecraft in 2002. After more than two decades of cultivation, these flowers have grown stronger, with visibly more vibrant petals.

Beyond flower viewing, tourists can enjoy local opera performances, hear legends of peony fairies, and appreciate Gongbi-style paintings of peonies. The city has developed a full industrial chain around peonies, including peony oil, peony facial masks, and creative cultural products such as the "Dandanzai" mascot.

The peony blooming season in Heze is expected to last until late April.
?