Peonies across cultures: Heze peony dough blooms in Los Angeles

The peony symbolizes national prosperity and the happiness of the people, standing as a celebrated traditional Chinese flower. The 2025 World Peony Conference and the 34th Heze International Peony Culture and Tourism Festival officially opened Tuesday in Heze City, east China's Shandong Province, known as China's peony capital.  

As more than just China's iconic flower, the peony has become a cultural ambassador, bridging continents and leaving a distinctive Oriental imprint in the history of world horticulture. CGTN invited artists from multiple countries to share how peony culture has gained international recognition and cross-cultural charm across diverse cultural contexts.  

Shi Zhenshan, a Heze native, began learning the ancient craft of dough sculpture from his father at the age of eight and has dedicated over 60 years to the craft. As an inheritor of China’s intangible cultural heritage, he has been honored with the title of "folk arts and crafts master" by UNESCO and the Chinese Folk Artists Association. Since settling in Los Angeles in 2006, Shi has been committed to promoting dough sculpture overseas, combining the art form with Heze’s peony culture. "Americans love peonies," Shi noted. By introducing Chinese culture and sharing Chinese stories, locals have gradually come to understand the cultural meaning behind peonies – "blossoms of wealth and honor."