Cities in Shandong are participating in a nationwide ice cream bar contest, with unique designs based on local locations and cultural icons.

Yun Cheng Zhuang Mo, also referred to as “hero pancake”, is a delicious multilayered dough-on-meat dish from Heze.

Yuncheng is hometown of our Water Margin heroes. “Water Margin” is China’s classic saga about 108 “Robinhood” masters who ”rob the rich to feed the poor” in a communal world. 72 of 108 characters are of Yuncheng natives. Today, the Water Margin Feast depicts popular foods during that time.

A local snack made of flour. To let honey sink in deep, 3 cuts made into the dough is the trick. Hence the name.

It is a Cao County brand. Marinated thoroughly with local herb leaves, the Cao beef looks very inviting.

Yuncheng Multi-layers Pancake (famed as a daily must-have by 108 Heroes of the novel the Water Margin).

A nationally renowned Heze cuisine specialty; it is heavy but delicate, and often eaten with roasted pancakes.

China Peony Garden has 900 species and over 100,000 plants. Rare colors include Zhao pink, oriental gold, sea yellow and dark red are all eye-catching.

Located in the Heze peony district, the Heze Baihua Garden started between 1521-1567. Though smaller in size as compared to the Heze Peony Garden, its reputation is almost as good, if not better.

As you step into Yuhuangmiao Village, you can see asphalt roads stretching in all directions. The small buildings in the village are exquisite and you can find most facilities available for your stay. The blocks of beautiful villas in the village are surrounded by greenery for a stunning view.

As a national first-level library, Heze Library is open all year long for free, except for Mondays. It is located at the northwest corner of the intersection between Danyang Road and Huaying Road. The Heze Library is a comprehensive public library organized by the government with a total area of 29,438 square meters and rated as a “National First-Class Library.”

Folk Arts (a non-material cultural heritage by UNESCO) heritage continues.

Zhu family used to be the richest in Shan County of Heze region. A peek into his mansion of 200 rooms, your first impression could be how easily to get loss. Exhibit by subject such as wedding chamber and wedding rooms are open to public. Old weaving machine was smart in that era. 72 Steps to weave was passed on for generations.

Just around Floating Dragon (Fulong) Lake, it is southwest of Shanxian County. The lake is 21 sq km and 3.5 m deep. It is 4 times the size of China’s well-known West Lake at Hangzhou City. Bike routes around the lake are carefully mapped out by Heze Tourism Commission.

Peony painting is an art by itself. It is featured in detailed object artworks using extremely fine pens. The details of the peony flower are very charming and that is why Heze Academy of Fine Arts gains national fame in peony paintings. Juye County Academy of Fine Arts offers beginner classes starting with flower observation for those interested in learning the art of peony painting. It is intriguing to see the instructors competing against another person’s artwork.

Brush up on your Kung Fu skills. Do not miss the “Doggie Boy” (Gouwa) performance of Songjiang Martial Art School in Yuncheng.

From early-April to end-May, people all over China will gather in Heze to indulge themselves in the sea of peonies. It will fun to see the whole region blasted with exciting activities like the various exhibits, competitions, photo showcases, concerts, county-fairs, feasts, etc. A cheerful and relaxing time for all to enjoy!

Students of Doggie Boy Performance Art Group, who tour the world from time to time to perform martial arts. It is the best martial art troop in all of China. Half of them are only in the freshman class of the elite China University of Sports from the Songjiang Martial Art School. Often, these national champions are taken for granted.

Demonstrations are offered in Water Margin Cultural City. It is considered a UNESCO, non-tangible Cultural Heritage.

Other than peonies, visitors can gracefully check out the different tulip colors here in either blue, green, purple, black or yellow.

Meet with more than 20 national champions and watch their performance that was performed at the opening ceremony of 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. The school is right next to the Water Margin Cultural City.

The relationship and heroic trait of 108 water margins are precious. The scene from the book are real in front of you. Bring a book and find these places!

It is built around the tomb of Sun Bin with 6 Grand Halls, Buddhist Temple, and Agricultural Botanical Gardens.

The world’s largest peony garden with research facilities.

The most famous food street in Heze is Dongfanghong Street. There are many stores and variety of flavors here.

Papercutting

Yuncheng Beef Jerky

Peony paintings and embroidery

Peony Flower Serum

Recommended souvenir/must-buy items… see more info.

Seasonal: Late March to early April

Season: April 1st to May 30th