Peony Pavilion

Peony Pavilion

Year: 2001

Runtime: 123 mins

Language: Chinese

RomanceDrama

In 1930s Suzhou, the fifth wife of an opium-addicted aristocrat, her husband’s female cousin, and a handsome instructor develop an intense relationship.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – Peony Pavilion (2001)

Trace every key event in Peony Pavilion (2001) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Cui Hua enters a noble household as the fifth wife

In the 1930s in Suzhou, Cui Hua, a courtesan from a tea house, becomes the fifth wife of a nobleman. She begins navigating a rigid household and the subtle politics of her new status. Her position sets the stage for hidden longings to emerge.

1930s Suzhou
2

A forbidden bond blossoms through Kunqu Opera

Within the mansion, Cui Hua forms an intense bond with Rong Lan, the husband’s cousin, sparked by their shared love of Kunqu Opera. Their closeness grows in secret, sheltered from the husband’s neglect. The relationship hints at forbidden desire within the family.

1930s Nobleman's mansion
3

Neglect drives Cui Hua toward opium

Cui Hua and her daughter Hui Hui are neglected by her husband, leaving Cui Hua increasingly lonely. She turns to opium to cope and forms a bond with the loyal butler, who soon enlists in the army. The mansion becomes a place of quiet desperation and hidden desires.

1930s Nobleman's mansion
4

Cui Hua and Hui Hui escape to Rong Lan

Facing neglect and despair, Cui Hua and Hui Hui escape the mansion to live with Rong Lan. The move marks a turning point, uniting the women against an unsympathetic patriarchal world. They find a fragile sanctuary in Rong Lan's household.

early 1930s Nobleman's mansion → Rong Lan's residence
5

Zhi Gang arrives and a secret affair begins

Zhi Gang, a handsome examiner, arrives at Rong Lan's school on official business, and he and Rong Lan begin an intimate relationship. Cui Hua remains unaware at first as the affair unfolds in secrecy. Rong Lan describes her feelings as indulgent toward Cui Hua, and the time with Zhi Gang feels guilt-free.

early 1930s Rong Lan's school
6

The butler's death and his diary's confession

Cui Hua receives news that the butler died in the war and then discovers his diary, which reveals his unspoken feelings for her. The diary unsettles Cui Hua and complicates her loyalties between Rong Lan and Zhi Gang. The moment blends grief with a troubling new memory.

afternoon Cui Hua's residence
7

A park encounter tests loyalties

At the park, Cui Hua and Hui Hui bump into Rong Lan and Zhi Gang. Zhi Gang urges them to spend time together, but Rong Lan refuses, leaving Cui Hua to cry by the pond. The encounter crystallizes the tension and competing affections that haunt them.

afternoon Park by the pond
8

Dinner request and an opium‑fueled night

That night, Cui Hua asks Rong Lan to invite Zhi Gang to dinner; Rong Lan stays quiet. Cui Hua retreats to her room to smoke opium as her health worsens. Rong Lan breaks down in tears, torn between the two lovers.

night Nobleman's mansion / Rong Lan's residence
9

Zhi Gang departs, leaving a grieving Rong Lan

Zhi Gang completes his assignment at Rong Lan's school and departs, leaving Rong Lan to grieve the loss of their brief infatuation. The separation strains the fragile relationships within the trio. Cui Hua remains torn between loyalty to Rong Lan and her own desires.

later Rong Lan's school
10

Cui Hua burns the diary, then a quiet night

Cui Hua burns the butler's diary and spends a quiet night with Rong Lan, reminiscing about the times they've shared. The act signals a turning point as memory competes with present tensions. The two women cling to a past that cannot be easily resolved.

night Cui Hua's residence
11

Park day: memories and unanswered questions

On another day, they visit the park with Hui Hui and recall the day Cui Hua met Rong Lan and Zhi Gang. Rong Lan asks Cui Hua whether she cried because of the butler or because of seeing her with Zhi Gang. Cui Hua does not answer, and Rong Lan urges leaving it in the past.

daytime Park
12

A birthday memory and a tender moment

Rong Lan remembers a birthday celebration she once threw for Cui Hua, calling it the happiest day of their lives. Cui Hua falls asleep on Rong Lan's shoulder, signaling a tender, unresolved bond between them. The memory lingers as they drift toward an uncertain future.

daytime Park

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 15:28

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Peony Pavilion Summary

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Peony Pavilion

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