Feast Your Eyes, Feed Your Stomach during Peony Culture Festival in Chongqing

Chongqing - The 2023 Dianjiang Peony Cultural Festival opened on the evening of March 23 at the Sanhe Lake Wetland Park in Chongqing's Dianjiang District, welcoming tourists to enjoy the beautiful peonies during the flowering season and to taste the delicious local food. 

The 2023 Dianjiang Peony Cultural Festival opens on March 23 at the Sanhe Lake Wetland Park in Chognqing’s Dianjiang District. (Photo/ Dianjiang District)

This year's festival features 20 activities in 5 major sections to promote Dianjiang's tourism brand, "Peony Hometown, Health, and Wellness Destination."

The peonies in Dianjiang are large, beautiful, and have a long flowering period, with more than 60 varieties that represent the typical Chinese peony. In 2022, more than 10 varieties, including Dianjiang peony Taiping Hong, shone at the National Peony Flower Show, winning two gold and three bronze medals.

From mid-March to late April, Dianjiang's peonies will reach their peak flowering season. Peonies, cherry blossoms, tulips, canola flowers, plum blossoms, and peach blossoms will bloom in scenic spots such as the Peony and Cherry Blossom World, Huaxia Peony Garden, and Youjianhe Ecological Wetland Demonstration Park.

During the Peony Cultural Festival, Dianjiang will hold a series of rural tourism activities, the Dianjiang boiled jellied-bean-curd banquet, and Mingyue Mountain local specialty exhibitions, allowing visitors to experience the unique countryside while appreciating the flowers.

The World Peony Conference sub-venue event and Peony Industry Development Forum is held on the morning of March 24. Experts and entrepreneurs from the China Flower Association and the peony industry will provide suggestions for the development of the Dianjiang peony industry.

On April 21, the Dianjiang Sports and Culture Park will host the China (Chongqing) 2023 Chinese Medicine Culture Festival as a sub-venue and the China (Chongqing Dianjiang) 2023 Chinese Medicine Health and Wellness Culture Festival, allowing visitors to experience the health and wellness industry of Dianjiang.

On March 26, the third Chongqing Dianjiang Peony Marathon will start at the south square of Sanhe Lake Wetland Park in Dianjiang County, where 10,000 marathon enthusiasts from home and abroad will gather in the peony hometown to share the joy of running. 

On April 30, the first Dianjiang County Triathlon will be held at the same place, where 600 triathlon enthusiasts will showcase their speed and passion.