Caozhou Gujin Garden

　　    Caozhou Gujin Garden primarily grows peonies, featuring around a hundred varieties, along with a variety of flowering shrubs. Its most distinctive feature is the woven sculptures made from cypress and juniper (commonly referred to as “pine weaving”), crafted into shapes such as city gates, memorial archways, and animals. These creations won third prize at the second National Flower Expo. In Heze, where large-field peonies are the highlight, the small-scale Gujin Garden has a quaint charm reminiscent of a “young lady’s delicate beauty,” with a touch of the ambiance found in gardens of southern China, making it quite unique. In 2005, building on diverse influences, the garden underwent renovation of its walls, landscaping improvements, cultivation of rare species, and the development of new areas, now highlighting the precious peony varieties of Caozhou. The garden boasts a collection of treasures and is full of charm. Verdant pines and cypresses frame small bridges and arched gates, while lion-shaped pine archways lead deeper into the garden toward a floral hall that gathers literati and artists. Leading up to the flower hall is a winding path through secluded corners where floral families vie in beauty and fragrance, delighting the eyes and nose with their vibrant blooms and sweet scents. Within the flower beds stands a National Flower Platform, where black peonies proudly stand out among the blossoms and white peonies glow like moonlit candles. The old garden exudes classic charm, and the twin peonies—“Er Qiao”—stand out with their unique fragrance. This garden welcomes guests with ancient trees and greets visitors through its pine gate.