Beijing's annual agriculture carnival set to open

The annual Beijing Agriculture Carnival will be held at Strawberry Expo Park, in Changping district, March 17 to May 13, with the sponsorship of the district government.

More than 180 miniature landscapes decorated with agricultural products, some 660 new breeds of fruits, vegetables and plants, and advanced agricultural technologies will be displayed at the event.

Visitors will be able to get closer to farming through more than 1,900 posters and over 200 creative hands-on farming activities. They will also find different specialties, ranging from Dairy Queen ice cream to Qingfeng Steamed Stuffed Bun.

Besides farm produce and snacks, clothing, handicrafts, furniture, magic props and succulent plants will be on sale.

A highlight of the carnival, a miniature landscaping model, "strawberry town", will be set up to demonstrate Changping's top-notch agricultural cultivation techniques and industrial achievements in strawberry planting.

The carnival will gather a record number of 300 plus exhibitors from 23 provinces, five autonomous regions and four municipalities directly under the central government, according to the organizers.

The organizers will also join hands with local government departments to host a forum on the strawberry industry and to organize cycling races, hoping to attract a wider public by adding some leisure elements to the event.

In addition, the organizers have improved the official WeChat account of the event so visitors can enjoy more convenient services, such as online ticketing, navigation in the park and parking guidance. People can also follow the latest news on the event’s official website or on its microblog.

Strawberry cultivation and production has been a leading industry in Changping district.