Peonies are in full bloom in April in Heze, Shandong province. The World Peony Conference and the 32nd Heze International Peony Cultural Tourism Festival will be held in the city in April to increase international profile of Heze peonies and attract more participants. [Photo/Caoxian News]

Peonies of various colors and varieties are in full bloom in Heze, Shandong province in April, offering visitors great opportunities to admire the "king of the flowers" and China's national flower.

Dubbed the "Peony Capital of China", Heze has a long history of peony flowers. It is a cradle for wildlife species and horticultural species, as well as home to a whole industrial chain of the peony industry.

Heze peonies come in about 10 types of colors and 1,280 varieties, with its number of newly cultivated varieties accounting for 80 percent of the total in China.

Boasting bright colors and an elegant appearance, the peony is called "king of the flowers" in China and has become an auspicious symbol. [Photo/Caoxian News]