The 27th Beizhai Cherry Festival kicked off on May 11 in Laoshan district, Qingdao, offering visitors the chance to pick cherries and enjoy the picturesque rural landscapes in May.

The 27th Beizhai Cherry Festival kicks off on May 11 both online and offline in Laoshan district, Qingdao. [Photo/Guanhai News]

Located in Laoshan district, Beizhai community is nestled in the mountains. It has an unrivaled natural environment and climate conditions, including ample light and a wide temperature difference between day and night, which is ideal for growing high-quality and tasty cherries.

Beizhai has planted approximately 420,000 cherry trees of various types. Cherry planting has become a popular method to vitalize rural areas and boost local farmers' incomes.

A visitor picks cherries at a plantation base in Beizhai community. [Photo/Guanhai News]

A photography competition will be held during the cherry festival, which will invite photographers to document the natural scenery, human resources, ecological environment, rural vitalization and social development of Beizhai, in a bid to promote the community's profile.

Famous calligraphers and painters will also be invited to create works based on the local scenery.

A farmer picks cherries in Beizhai. [Photo/Guanhai News]

May is the perfect time to harvest cherries, which is a fruit that has plenty of nutrition and health benefits. [Photo/Guanhai News]