Flowers turn 'golden' – How is Henan paving its 'floral road'?

From the graceful peonies of Luoyang to the dazzling cherry blossoms of Gubaidu, from the flaming peach blossoms of Xinye to the snowy-white pear blossoms of Ningling, springtime in Henan rivals, and even surpasses, the poetic charm of regions south of the Yangtze River.

从洛阳的雍容牡丹到古柏渡的烂漫樱花，从新野的灼灼桃花到宁陵的如雪梨花，春日的河南，不是江南胜似江南。

In Henan, flowers are also part of the city's development story. Across the Central Plains, blossoms have become a bridge between natural beauty and thriving industries. These blooms have grown into the "golden key" unlocking cultural tourism in rural counties and transforming "spring exclusives" into year-round sources of prosperity.

花事即城事，中原大地以花为媒，将自然美景转化为富民产业。鲜花，不仅成为县域文旅融合发展的“金钥匙”，更是“春日限定”到“四季生金”的富民密码。

Festivals as a catalyst | From "visual beauty" to "economic value"

节庆为媒丨从“颜值”到“产值”蝶变

Xinye County, famous for the allusions of the Three Kingdoms such as the "Inferno Tactics: Zhuge Liang's Fiery Defense of Xinye", has transformed into a springtime "flower city". In early April, crowds of tourists flock to the Baihe Beach Wetland Park. There, millions of tulips in the ecological corridor are swaying in the breeze, as if they have knocked over the color palette of spring.

因“火烧新野”等三国典故而闻名的新野县，如今已化身春日的“花都”。4月初，迈入新野白河滩湿地公园，古城人潮涌动，游客纷至沓来，盛放在白河滩生态长廊的百万株郁金香，在微风吹拂下摇曳生姿、绚烂馨香，仿佛打翻了春的调色盘。

In 2025, "Xinye Spring Flower Appreciation Tourism Season Series Activities" got off to a good start. According to the data, in March, the county received 1.287 million tourists and generated 1.043 billion yuan in tourism revenue, which drove a 35% increase in spending across sectors such as catering, accommodation, and transportation, injecting fresh momentum into high-quality county-level development. The flower appreciation economy has blossomed into a powerful engine for integrated culture-tourism growth.

2025年“新野春季赏花旅游季系列活动”取得开门红。据统计，3月份全县接待游客128.7万人次，旅游收入达10.43亿元，带动餐饮、住宿、交通等关联产业消费增长35%，有力推动了县域经济社会高质量发展，赏花经济成为打开县域文旅融合发展的“金钥匙”。

"Flower" style of consumption | Activating new vitality of the spring economy　　

“花”式消费丨激活春日经济新活力 

Across supermarkets and shopping malls, flower-themed delicacies have captured the attention and appetites of consumers.

在各大商超，舌尖上的“花宴”，更是吸引消费者纷纷打卡。

On April 7, in Zhengzhou Cityon Shopping Mall, brands like No Yeye No Tea, uouoyoge, Luckin Coffee, and Open Oven launched new spring-themed drinks and baked goods inspired by blossoms. 

4月7日，走进郑州熙地港商场，爷爷不泡茶、uouoyoge、瑞幸、openoven等店铺，与鲜花有关的春日限定茶饮、面包纷纷上新。

Beyond the malls, Henan locals have also infused the aroma of flowers into traditional dishes. In places like Nanyang, Luoyang, Neihuang, and Luohe, local specialties like rose cakes, peony-carved radish salad, peach blossom steamed feasts, and peach blossom candy have turned floral cuisine into must-try experiences for visitors.

除了“花”式消费，河南人还让花香“飘”上了餐桌。在商场外，南阳的月季花饼、洛阳的牡丹燕菜（以萝卜雕刻成牡丹花形）、内黄的“桃花蒸笼宴”、漯河的“桃花糖”将花香融入家常菜肴与甜点，成为游客必打卡的美食符号。

Fragrance brings prosperity | The diversified extension of flower economy

富民“生香”丨鲜花经济的多元延伸

During the Qingming Festival, Luoyang Peony Cultural Festival attracted a flood of tourists. According to Ctrip, bookings for Luoyang surged by 100% compared to the previous month, drawing visitors from across China to admire the peonies, join interactive experiences, and explore ancient sites.

清明假期，牡丹文化节引爆洛阳，携程数据显示，洛阳旅游平台订单量环比激增100%，吸引了全国各地游客纷至沓来，赏牡丹、玩互动、游古迹。

In Xingyang, Gubaidu Fengle Cherry Blossom Garden stood out as a springtime hotspot. Its thousand-acre cherry blossom display drew swarms of visitors. As spring blooms unfolded, nearby Sicun Village saw its homestays fully booked, with demand far outstripping supply.

作为荥阳文旅春日“顶流”，古柏渡丰乐樱花园以千亩樱花盛放之势，吸引游客纷至沓来。“吃”在春天，住在黄河边，进入3月份以来，邻古柏渡的司村，村内民宿房供不应求。

In Nanyang, China roses bloom across three seasons. By 2024, the city had cultivated 155,000 acres of roses, yielding an annual output value of 3 billion yuan and providing jobs for over 150,000 people. Rose seedlings are exported to more than 20 countries and regions including Germany and the Netherlands. Leveraging flowers to attract investment, Nanyang has also established investment promotion agencies in Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei.　　

在南阳，一朵月季，三季花开。2024年，全市月季种植面积15.5万亩，年产值30亿元，超过15万人从事月季生产。苗木远销德国、荷兰等20多个国家和地区，以“花”为媒带动招商引资，南阳在京津冀等地设立了驻地招商机构。

With every bloom, flowers across Henan are evolving into products for wellness, skincare, and beauty. Deep-processed items like peony pastries, rose tea, and rose essential oil are now produced at scale and have become top souvenir choices for tourists, significantly lengthening the flower industry chain.　　

随着一次次花开，遍布河南的鲜花更是“摇身一变”，成为养生、护肤、美颜用品。牡丹花饼、月季花茶、玫瑰精油等一系列深加工产品先后批量生产，成为游客纪念品首选，延长了鲜花产业链。

Henan's flower economy is more than a seasonal delight; it's becoming a lasting driver for rural revitalization and the integration of culture and tourism. Blossoms are now blooming into new chapters of prosperity, enriching lives and strengthening the province through innovation and diversity. This spring, as seas of flowers once again sweep across the Central Plains, they offer more than natural beauty—they tell the vivid story of a major agricultural province undergoing transformation and renewal.　

河南的“鲜花经济”不仅是春日的限定浪漫，更是乡村振兴、文旅融合的长效引擎，一朵朵鲜花正以多元形态绽放出富民强省的新篇章。这个春天，当中原大地花海再次涌动，人们看到的不仅是自然的馈赠，更是一个农业大省转型升级的生动答卷。（中文来源/大河网 记者/刘高雅 翻译/洪建园）