Century-old trees and tech build a prosperous industry

As early winter descends upon Pingle county in Guilin, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, the ancient persimmon groves burst into a blaze of color.

In Datangkou village, trees heavy with crimson fruit stand like sentinels among farmhouses, their branches strung with what seem like countless scarlet lanterns.

This fiery spectacle is mirrored on the ground, where courtyards are carpeted with golden persimmons drying in the sun, making for a vibrant harvest scene that has drawn visitors from far and wide to seek the season's warmth.

This beauty is rooted in profound history.

Persimmon cultivation in Pingle dates back over 500 years, as recorded in the county annals from the Kangxi reign of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).

Blessed with a mild subtropical monsoon climate, Pingle is home to more than 3,500 persimmon trees over a century old, including six revered specimens exceeding 500 years, the largest such grove in China, according to local authorities.