Peony festival blooms

The 30th Peony Cultural Festival opened on April 4 in Luoyang, Henan province.

The festival uses peonies as a medium to attract tourists and investors to the city, organizers say.

More than 30 business, cultural and tourism events, including several traditional opera shows, business forums and public square revelries, will take place.

Luoyang has long been famous for its peonies and was recently named the "Capital of Peonies" by the China Flower Association. The festival is staged by the Ministry of Culture and the Henan provincial government.