The 40th China Luoyang Peony Cultural Festival kicked off on April 8 at the south square of the Peony Pavilion scenic area in Luoyang City, central China's Henan Province.

An evening gala was held during the opening ceremony of the festival. Various performances, including songs and dances, an acrobatic show, a Peking opera show and a Hanfu show, were staged, presenting the audience with an audio-visual feast. 

Photo shows a performance at the opening ceremony of the 40th China Luoyang Peony Cultural Festival in Luoyang, central China's Henan Province. [Photo courtesy of the publicity department of the CPC Luoyang municipal committee]

Through the use of emerging technologies, such as extended reality (XR), the performances received a digital makeover, offering the audience an immersive experience and enabling them to feel the charm of Luoyang as both an ancient and modern city.

The opening ceremony was attended by provincial-level officials from Henan, municipal-level officials from Luoyang, guests from media outlets and the business circle, citizens in Luoyang and tourists.

The 40th China Luoyang Peony Cultural Festival will run until April 23, and the peony viewing period is expected to end on May 5.

Photo shows a performance at the opening ceremony of the 40th China Luoyang Peony Cultural Festival in Luoyang, central China's Henan Province. [Photo courtesy of the publicity department of the CPC Luoyang municipal committee]

Photo shows a performance at the opening ceremony of the 40th China Luoyang Peony Cultural Festival in Luoyang, central China's Henan Province. [Photo courtesy of the publicity department of the CPC Luoyang municipal committee]

Photo shows a performance at the opening ceremony of the 40th China Luoyang Peony Cultural Festival in Luoyang, central China's Henan Province. [Photo courtesy of the publicity department of the CPC Luoyang municipal committee]

Photo shows a performance at the opening ceremony of the 40th China Luoyang Peony Cultural Festival in Luoyang, central China's Henan Province. [Photo courtesy of the publicity department of the CPC Luoyang municipal committee]

Photo shows a performance at the opening ceremony of the 40th China Luoyang Peony Cultural Festival in Luoyang, central China's Henan Province. [Photo courtesy of the publicity department of the CPC Luoyang municipal committee]

Photo shows a performance at the opening ceremony of the 40th China Luoyang Peony Cultural Festival in Luoyang, central China's Henan Province. [Photo courtesy of the publicity department of the CPC Luoyang municipal committee]

Photo shows a performance at the opening ceremony of the 40th China Luoyang Peony Cultural Festival in Luoyang, central China's Henan Province. [Photo courtesy of the publicity department of the CPC Luoyang municipal committee]

Photo shows a performance at the opening ceremony of the 40th China Luoyang Peony Cultural Festival in Luoyang, central China's Henan Province. [Photo courtesy of the publicity department of the CPC Luoyang municipal committee]

(Source: People's Daily Online)