Heze, the "peony capital of China", is known for its peony-related tourist sites and products, as well as for an art form known as "farmer's painting", which typically focuses on peony blossoms.

Juye county in Heze is hailed as "A town of farmer's painting in China", an appellation awarded by the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles. It has also been named "A town of Chinese gongbi painting" (fine brush painting) by the China Hue Art Association.

In recent years, Juye has attached great importance to the development of the painting and calligraphy industry to boost rural vitalization and increase locals' incomes.

At present, about 80 percent of the hand-painted fine brush peony paintings sold by major art galleries in China come from Juye.

Artists from Heze's Juye county work on a giant fine brush peony painting. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

An artist paints a peony blossom at a painting studio in Heze, Shandong province. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

A completed fine brush peony painting. Juye county has been focusing on the painting and calligraphy industry in promoting rural vitalization to expand the influence and popularity of the fine brush peony painting nationwide. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

A farmer's painting in Juye county, Heze [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]