Agricultural tourism booms in Gaomi, Shandong

In recent years, Gaomi, Weifang, East China's Shandong province, has been focusing on integrating agriculture and local tourism to advance rural vitalization, which has in turn increased farmers' incomes and boosted the local economy.

For instance, the tropical fruit theme park in Gaomi leverages its advantageous location next to the Weihai River, focusing on the forefront of the high-end fruit industry.

The park has introduced and cultivated tropical fruit varieties such as ugly oranges, dragon fruit, and waxberries. It is exploring breakthroughs in the growth of high-quality grape varieties such as Queen Nina, which is much more expensive than ordinary varieties.

Zhang Bing, the person in charge of the tropical fruit theme park, said that the park is expected to see a yield of over 2,500 kilograms per mu (about 0.067 hectares) when the grapes ripen in October, and the grape revenue per 100 mu is expected to exceed 2 million yuan ($275,656).

Another shining example of agricultural tourism is the rural complex featuring lotus flowers, which is located in Qianshagou village in Gaomi. A total of 70 mu of lotus flowers have now come into bloom.

The emerald green lotus leaves, along with pink or pure white lotus flowers, set against the backdrop of blue sky and white clouds, create a poetic and picturesque scene, attracting many admirers.

A tourist plays the guzheng (a traditional instrument) by a lotus pond. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]