An enchanting sea of red peonies, spanning over 5,000 mu (about 333 hectares), is blooming in Duolun County of Xilingol League, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, drawing waves of visitors to soak in its charm.
Large stretches of blooming red peonies have pink and white flowers covering the branches. visitors to the site capture the scenery with their cameras while learning about the local medicinal herb culture.
"It feels this place is getting better and better. The roads are clean, the grassy fields are vast, and the flowers are gorgeous. I've heard they have medicinal value too," said Li Jingmei, a visitor.
In recent years, local authorities have used red peonies to expand the industrial chain, creating products such as peony tea and honey. The tourism boom has also driven steady growth in nearby farm stays, homestays, and rural spending, paving a new path for rural revitalization that boosts ecology, industry, and cultural tourism.
Red peonies blooming in China's Inner Mongolia
China's national railway network shipped 1.67 billion tons of cargo from January to May in 2026, up 1.8 percent year-on-year, with single-day loading volume reaching a record high, the country's railway operator said Sunday.
The daily loading volume was averaged at 186,300 cars, up 2.8 percent from the same period last year, according to the latest data released by China State Railway Group Co., Ltd. (China Railway).
On May 2, a single-day loading record was set with 202,400 cars, China Railway said.
Transportation of key materials remained strong and well-supported. Last month, railway departments opened green channels for fertilizers to ensure timely deliveries and avoid disruptions to farming activities.
"During the summer planting season, our station has established close daily communication mechanisms with fertilizer enterprises. We have made detailed measures on boxcar resources, vehicle turnover, and train operations to achieve faster loading and transport, ensuring fertilizers reach farmlands in a timely manner," said Shi Xi, an official of Zhijiang Railway Station of China Railway Wuhan Group.
From January to May, national railways transported 48.81 million tons of grain, up 11.9 percent year on year.
Meanwhile, 870 million tons of coal were delivered to ensure coal supplies for the peak summer electricity demand period.
China's railway cargo transportation volume increases in January-May period
