Peonies across cultures: Garden hanfu shoot for South Korean vlogger

The peony – a symbol of national prosperity and happiness – is a cherished traditional flower in China. The 2025 World Peony Conference and the 34th Heze International Peony Culture and Tourism Festival officially opened on April 8 in Heze City, located in east China's Shandong Province and also known as China's "peony capital."

Apart from being an iconic flower of China, the peony serves as a cultural ambassador, bridging continents and leaving a distinct Oriental imprint on the history of horticulture. 

CGTN invited artists from various countries to share insights on how peony culture gains international recognition and reveals its cross-cultural charm.

Hanfu, a traditional Chinese attire, is deeply woven into the nation's culture, history and aesthetics. In classical paintings, poetry and literary works, hanfu and peonies frequently appear together, with poets likening women in hanfu to blooming peonies.

In this video, South Korean vlogger Kim Jeong-won explores the breathtaking Caozhou peony garden at the height of its bloom. She admires hanfu designs inspired by peonies, dons classical court lady attire and recreates iconic scenes from renowned Chinese paintings.