Peony Garden

The basics

There’s no charge to visit the Peony Garden, which is home to thousands of bushy “tree” peonies, ornamental peonies, and a gaudy peony sculpture. It spans an impressive 16 acres (6.5 hectares), though it can still feel crowded over weekends when the peonies are in bloom. During summer, the ponds are stocked with ornamental fish, but, as the name indicates, peonies are the main event here and the gardens can be underwhelming out of season.

Things to know before you go

• The Peony Garden is a great choice for photographers, flower lovers, and fans of gardens.

• During the blossom season, the garden can see more than 100,000 visitors a day. Arrive early and during the working week if photography is on your agenda.

• Parts of the garden are wheelchair-accessible, but many areas feature steps, narrow pathways, and uneven terrain.

How to get there

The Peony Garden is in the heart of Changchun, just a 0.5-mile (800-meter) walk south of People’s Square. The best subway station is People’s Square (Line 1) or rideshare with China’s DiDi app.

When to get there

The Peony Garden is open daily year-round. While it can be atmospheric during Changchun’s snowy winters, the time to visit is when the peonies bloom. The season usually starts around mid-May and lasts for about a month. To beat the worst of the crowds, come early and during the working week.

Where and when to see spring blooms in China

Classical Chinese garden design does not major in color, but you can still enjoy the sweet scent and vibrant hues of spring flowers around the country. The Luoyang International Peony Garden hosts more than 1,000 different types of peony, which bloom in April and May. For Chinese-style sakura viewing, head to Yuantouzhu Scenic Area, outside Wuxi, where Cherry Blossom Valley offers a feast of 30,000 trees blossoming from February to April. The Bijie Forest Park in Guizhou explodes into a riot of wild azaleas between March and May.