Luoyang Peony Festival

The Chinese public chose the peony as their unofficial national flower in a 1994 referendum, rooting this large, showy and fragrant flower's status as a perennial favorite. In defense of Luoyang's handle, "city of peonies," this annual event boasts more than 600 varieties of domestic and foreign peonies and draws 1.8 million visitors to the city's 300 hectares of public parks. The prized tree peony comes in every color of the rainbow except blue, which you certainly won't be feeling when you see the others.

China Shenyang International Horticultural Exhibition 2006

The kind of plants usually associated with the capital of Liaoning province, Shenyang, are machinery plants. But Shenyang will trade heavy industry for light floral flourishes when its nearby Qipanshan Tourism Resort hosts this yearly world-class botanical bonanza. Massive tropical and temperate indoor halls will be flanked by both domestic and international gardens on the five-kilometer-squared grounds. The event's rose garden will claim the most species of the flower in the world. For those with allergies, there will also be an amusement park and a performance square on hand for your enjoyment.

Hangzhou Flower Harbor Park Flower Display

Hangzhou jockeys Suzhou for sole possession of the title "heaven on earth" with its annual Flower Harbor Park Flower Display. This magnificent display of azaleas, peach blossoms and peonies will rival the storied scenery of the surrounding West Lake. The event coincides with the West Lake International Tea Culture Exposition where activities will include brewing with spring water and ceremoniously drinking dragon well tea, a bitter wonder native to the city.

box:

* Hangzhou Flower Harbor Park Flower Display
Time: Thoughout April
Contact: 8792-5076
Place: Flower Harbor Park, Hangzhou West Lake International Tea Culture Exposition

* China Shenyang International Horticultural Exhibition 2006
Time: May 1-October 31
Contact: 86-24-2283-5695 or www.expo2006sy.gov.cn
Place: Shenyang Qipanshan International Scenery & Tourism Development Zone, 20 KM east of Shenyang.

* Luoyang Peony Festival
Time: April 15-25, displays often continue through early May
Place: Displays at Wangcheng Park, Peony Square, Peony Park, Xiyuan Park and throughout the city.