Heze, the hometown of peonies, is located in southwestern Shandong Province. It has more peonies than anywhere else in the world.

　　The flower has been raised here for the past 400 years. The peony's peak blooming time is around April 18, and the s eason continues through early spring.

　　Visitors to Heze will want to explore the Caozhou Peony Garden (the entrance fee is 50 yuan, or $6.50 per person) as well as Tianxiang Garden (free of charge).

　　Heze is about 240 kilometers southwest of Jinan, the capital of Shandong. There is no direct air link between Heze and Beijing. The K105 train departs from Beijing at 11:56 pm and arrives in Heze at 6:19 am the next morning.