Farmers load winter pears into baskets. [Photo/Lanzhou Daily]

Ruan'er pears (soft pears) and winter pears in the Shichuan ancient pear orchards of Gaolan county, Lanzhou, have entered the harvest season, with growers rushing to pick and pack the fruit in fine weather.

Local farmers use traditional "tianbashi" wooden ladders to reach pears high in the ancient trees. Wei Shengheng, a 21st-generation inheritor of the technique, said the ladders are essential for pruning, pollination, and harvesting throughout the year. "Preserving this skill is key to protecting the orchards," he said.

Modern facilities are now supporting traditional practices. Nanzhuang village of Shichuan town in Gaolan county has built 40 cold storage units, allowing pears to be sold at staggered times for more stable prices and higher incomes. Kong Lingmiao, deputy head of Shichuan town, said the town's soft pear plantations cover 4,000 mu (about 267 hectares) with an annual output of 12,000 metric tons, while winter pears cover 1,400 mu with 10,500 tons. This year's harvest is stable with a slight increase.

With smart cold storage and cold-chain logistics, soft pears can reach major city supermarkets across China within 48 hours, with some exported to Singapore and Japan. The industry chain is also expanding — Shichuan town has partnered with Gansu Agricultural University to develop deep-processed products such as NFC pear juice, pear paste and low-alcohol pear wine.

Kong said the town will continue strengthening the soft pear industry chain, and turning the local specialty into a major industry that boosts incomes and rural development.