Thepeony, boastingbrightcolorsandanelegantappearance, isasymbolofpeaceandprosperityandthusrecognizedas "kingoftheflowers" inChina. Peoniesarebredandgrowninmanypartsofthecountry. Overthecenturies, numerouspoemsandpaintingshavebeencreatedtopraisetheflower. PeonieswereparticularlypopularduringtheTangDynasty, whentheywereextensivelycultivatedintheimperialgardensandpraisedasthenationalflower. Inthetenthcentury, theancientcityofLuoyangbecamethecenterforpeonycultivation, apositionitstillholdstoday. Nowadays, thousandsoftouristsfromhomeandabroadflocktoLuoyangfortheannualPeonyFestivaltobothadmiretheuniquebeautyofthecity'speoniesandexplorethehistoryoftheancientcapitalofninedynasties.