Chinese herbaceous peonies are currently in full bloom in Xishawo village, Datong city. [Photo/sxgov.cn]

More than 200 hectares of Chinese herbaceous peony flowers have since June been blooming in Xishawo village – administered by Yunzhou district of Datong city, in North China's Shanxi province – attracting a large number of tourists. 

The beautiful sight is attracting not only visitors, but also merchants who sell the brightly colored flowers. 

At present, the demand for freshly-cut flowers at home and abroad continues to increase and the Chinese herbaceous peony has become one of the main staples of the flower market. The rare varieties of peony grown in Xishawo village have proved to be a big hit with the buyers. 

Luo Yongfeng, a peony flower distributor from Heze city in East China's Shandong province, said he loved the village's flowers and reached a supply agreement with Changzheng Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Co in Yunzhou district. 

Xishawo's Chinese herbaceous peonies prove to be a big hit with the buyers. [Photo/sxgov.cn]

Since 2016, the company has cultivated the flower on a mass scale in Xishawo, turning the village into a picturesque garden. 

The business has also helped lift the local farmers out of poverty through land transfers and jobs.

Sales from the flowers have topped 10,000 yuan ($1,547) per mu (0.07 ha) since last year. In addition, a medicinal peony will also be sold this fall, with an expected income of more than 5,000 yuan per mu. 

At present, Changzheng Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Co is developing an extended supply chain of peony essential oils, beverages and cosmetics – with the humble flower expected to help boost rural revitalization in the region.