Luoyang is a small city "lying in the centre of the earth" near to the south of the Yellow River in Henan province. For several centuries, Luoyang was the gravity center of China. It's well known as "The Capital of Nine Dynasties". It is one of the most important origins of Chinese civilization.

Peony flowers, along with the Longmen Grottoes and Shui Xi or the Water Banquet are considered the Three Wonders of Luoyang. Here you can see all kinds of peonies with colors ranging from red, pink and white to the rarest dark. When spring comes, the whole city is enshrouded in the sweet fragrance of peony. Throughout the centuries, the peonies have been a source of inspirations of poets and painters in China. In 1982, it was selected as the city flower of Luoyang, and Luoyang is reputed in China as the "City of Peonies". And since 1983, Luoyang Peony Fair is held every year from 15th to 25th in April. With over 90 in species by color and shape, peony is the symbol of wealth for Chinese people, frequently appeared on Chinese embroidery work and on Chinese ladies' dress - Qipao.

It generally said that if one wishes to learn the ups and downs of China, it will be enough to study Luoyang. The history of Luoyang as a town and later as a city runs much longer than that of it as a capital. Documents and cultural relics are continually being found here by archaeologists. Recent evidence, discovered in the Neolithic site found in the west of the city, showed that Luoyang has been a habitat for human being 7,000 years ago.

Buddhism was introduced here as early as 68 AD from Nepal. The first Buddhist Temple in China – White Horse Temple was constructed here. Nearby Shaolin Temple has long been regarded as the hometown of Chinese martial arts.

Luoyang Photo Gallery