Hebei makes big push in agritourism

In a recent activity held by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of North China's Hebei province, it was announced Hebei will establish 100 provincial-level ecological agritourism demonstration areas in three years.

The activity highlighted many such demonstration areas, like the one in Julu county of Xingtai city where different kinds of flowers and fruits are designed to be in bloom all year round, forming an agritourism system that enables people to stay, plant seeds, view scenery, taste food, buy local products and have fun.

Another demonstration area in Fucheng county of Hengshui city has a large pear tree forest, where there more than 10,000 pear trees over 100 years old. Pears are Hebei are well known, and the area has become a tourist attraction combining natural views, culture and distinctive food.

Wang Zengli, an official of Hebei's Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, said: "To further stimulate the potential of agritourism and promote it, our province will explore local agricultural culture and expand its tourism potential. We hope to create new models of agritourism and design quality tourist attractions and routes."