Bozhou peonies cross over a thousand years

In April, known as the most beautiful day in the world, walking through the vast fields of Bozhou City, people can see peonies blooming everywhere, elegant and fragrant.

Bozhou, the capital of Chinese medicine, distinguishes its peonies with their medicinal value. “Bo Peony Peel” is a traditional Chinese medicine processed from the roots and rhizomes of Bozhou peonies. This unique Bozhou product is a geographical indication of agricultural products in China. Modern medicine recognizes the calming, analgesic, hypnotic, hypotensive, and antibacterial effects of Bo Peony Peel.

The peony cultivation in Bozhou originated from over 1800 years ago. Since the first medicinal garden established by the legendary physician Hua Tuo in Bozhou, peonies have been closely associated with Bozhou. It was mainly cultivated by the local people for medicinal purposes. During the Ming Dynasty, Bozhou resident Xue Hui cultivated peonies in gardens. Inspired by Xue Hui and other literati, the tradition of admiring beautiful flowers became popular in the city, making Bozhou peonies renowned nationwide. It can be confirmed by foreign maps that marked peonies explicitly in the name of Bozhou.

During the Ming Dynasty, Bozhou peonies reached their peak and The Chronicles of Cao County, Shandong recorded that “peonies first flourished in Luoyang, and then thrived in Bozhou”. Bo Peony Peel produced by local farmers was exported worldwide through Bozhou's numerous pharmaceutical enterprises.

The “flower economy” empowers cultural and tourism development. In recent years, in addition to their medicinal value, Bozhou peonies have driven the development of cultural and tourism industries. Every early April, 200,000mu of medicinal peonies bloom simultaneously. During this time, people can appreciate blooming peonies not only in the fields of Bozhou but also in villages and even in the corners of rural courtyards. Bozhou has constructed the Bozhou Medicine Flower Sea Leisure and Sightseeing Grand World to build itself into the world's capital of traditional Chinese medicine and a leading city for cultural tourism. The scenic area, with an area of nearly 150,000mu, integrates the cultivation, exhibition, and leisure sightseeing of Bozhou peonies, Chinese peonies, and chrysanthemums. It is the largest traditional Chinese medicine flower sea landscape in the country. From April to May each year, spotless white peonies and Chinese peonies like brilliant clouds bloom one after another, attracting a large number of tourists to experience the pastoral scenery and local customs. In addition to the scenic area, Hua Tuo Peony Garden is also an excellent place to admire peonies.