The 21st Yangjiashanli Cherry Picking Festival officially began on May 6 in Qingdao West Coast New Area (Qingdao WCNA), launching a month of festivities to celebrate the beloved fruit and its storied history in the region.

With a theme of "primordial mountains and waters, endless cherry enjoyment", this year's festival will include over 10 unique events, such as the Farmers' Market, Rose Flower Sea, Rhododendron Flower Sea, and idyllic countryside homestays.

The blend of cherry picking, agricultural tourism, and food tasting experiences aims to construct a harmonious model of sustainable development, combining green ecology, cultural tourism, as well as festive celebrations. This synergistic approach strives to transform ecological resources into ecological wealth and picturesque landscapes into economic catalysts.

Rooted in a rich cultivation history stretching back over 600 years to the early Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), Yangjiashanli cherries have earned the area its prestigious reputation as the "hometown of cherries". Taking center stage as the region's most significant cherry harvesting site, the planting area spans more than 5,000 mu (about 333.33 hectares).

For two decades, the annual cherry-picking festival in Yangjiashanli has lured more than 200,000 visitors every year, eager to immerse themselves in this vibrant celebration. Small cherry varieties are expected to reach maturity from early May through May 22, with larger cherries coming to fruition from May 22 until early June.

The 21st Yangjiashanli Cherry Picking Festival officially opens on May 6 in Qingdao West Coast New Area. [Photo/WeChat account: qdxihaianfabu]