Peony Valley

Peony Valley

Peony Valley

Drive up over West Mountain from the Qiaxi Valley entrance and head south for several kilometers to reach Peony Valley. The valley extends over 10 kilometers in a north-south orientation. On the shaded slopes within the valley, wild peonies grow in continuous clusters and patches. Every mid-spring, the large, fist-sized peonies in vibrant shades of purple-red burst into bloom, covering the landscape in a sea of crimson from all directions and elevations, turning Peony Valley into a floral ocean. The scenery is richly colored and magnificent, stirring the heart and enchanting the senses. What’s even more remarkable is that beneath the peony blossoms grows a tiny black mushroom, no bigger than a match head — don’t miss it, as this is the precious medicinal herb caterpillar fungus (cordyceps). Visiting Peony Valley in spring to admire the beautiful scenery and gather cordyceps is truly a rewarding experience that pleases both the eyes and the health.

Killing two birds with one stone.