Performers in traditional Chinese costumes play traditional Chinese musical instruments during the opening ceremony of the 1st Qidong Peony Festival on April 16. [Photo/WeChat account of Qidong Daily]

The first Qidong Peony Festival began on April 16 in Huaxia Peony Park, Qidong, a county-level city in Nantong, Jiangsu province.

More than 2 million peony flowers are currently in full bloom, attracting many visitors.

The park introduced dozens of varieties of peony to complement a wide array of white peonies. Walking among the flowers feels like wandering through a fairy tale world. 

The peonies are not only meant to be admired, as the Shanghai Chenshan Research Institute for Botany of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has partnered with Qidong Huaxia Peony Park to develop peonies for their refined edible oil. 

The oil extracted from the peonies is an effective treatment for cardiovascular diseases, as the unsaturated fatty acid composition reaches over 90 percent.

Planting peonies for their refined oil has been developed into an industry in Hezuo town, where the peony park is located. By employing nearby residents to plant peonies, the local government is hoping to raise the living standards of locals.

An aerial view of Huaxia Peony Park [Photo/WeChat account of Qidong Daily]

A tech worker sucks pollen from a peony flower for its refined edible oil. [Photo/WeChat account of Qidong Daily]