Meet Li Xiaoqi, the agricultural whiz who turned Heze’s peony fields into a global sensation. After graduating from China Agricultural University in 2000, Li swapped city life for his hometown in Shandong Province, transforming his family’s modest 10-mu peony plot into a sprawling 2,200-mu industrial park. Think labs, cold storage, and export hubs — this is farming meets innovation at its finest!
Li didn’t stop there. By training hundreds of local farmers in peony cultivation, he helped lift communities out of poverty while putting Heze — nicknamed ‘China’s peony capital’ — on the map. Today, the city’s booming industry spans four sectors: seedlings, flowers, processing, and cultural tourism.
And the momentum isn’t slowing down! The 2025 Heze Peony Festival just launched, featuring 29 events over a month — from flower showcases to global forums. Whether you’re a travel junkie, a sustainability buff, or just love a good bloom, Heze’s story proves that petals can pack serious economic power.
After graduating from China Agricultural University in 2000, Li swapped city life for his hometown in Shandong Province, transforming his family’s modest 10-mu peony plot into a sprawling 2,200-mu industrial park. Think labs, cold storage, and export hubs — this is farming meets innovation at its finest! 
Whether you’re a travel junkie, a sustainability buff, or just love a good bloom, Heze’s story proves that petals can pack serious economic power. 
| Spring…
