Early summer endows Beijing city with bright colors and vitality. Various flowers decorate the ancient capital of China. If you visit Beijing in early May, it is the best season for Chinese peonies in many parks. See the gallery below for a colorful visual tour: 

Chinese peony, or common garden peony, is native to central and eastern Asia. Due to its similarity with peony, the Chinese peony has been given a "royal title": the peony is honored as "king of flowers" in China, while the Chinese peony has become the "queen of flowers". The delicate flower is often used in metaphors to describe beautiful young maids. It has a long history of cultivation in the country as well as medical use. The plant is called "shao yao" in Chinese, with "yao" meaning medicine. Its root can be used as an analgesic in ancient Chinese medicine. 

(Cover photo via VCG)

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