Changping hosts its annual apple festival

The twelfth annual Changping Apple Festival kicked off at the Changping Apple Theme Park on Oct 24, with hundreds of people participating.

Over 35 new species were displayed at the opening ceremony of the festival, including some new Fuji apples.

The festival will last from Oct 24 to Nov 15. During the festival, various activities to attract visitors to Changping will be held including apple-picking, sight-seeing and rural cuisine tasting.

Visitors can buy apples to take home. However, for those who are not able to visit the garden in person, they can also order Changping apples by an APP on their mobile phone or by logging onto www.chpapple.cn.

In recent years, the district has been working hard to develop its apple industry. Apart from investing money, it has also carried out over 80 training sessions for over 5000 apple growers to improve output. As a result, the apple output of 2015 is expected to reach 20 million kilograms.

The district also attaches importance to international exchanges. Since 2005, the city has invited over 22 Japanese apple experts to give technical support at Changping. It also sent 35 local apple growers to the apple orchards in developed countries to learn about their techniques. Thanks to the advanced technology, the district has saved 450 tons of water annually on average.

The efforts have paid off. In 2001, Changping became a national demonstration district for its apple planting. In 2006, Changping apples became a geological indications protection product. The district is now striving to promote organic cultivation to meet the expectations of the general public.

Locatedin the north of Beijing, Changping has been honored as a “blessed place” from ancient times. The apples there are of good quality because of adequate sunshine and good soil. The soil is rich in minor elements such as phosphorus, potassium and magnesium.

The festival has been held annually since 2004. This year’s event is co-hosted by the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Landscape and Forestry and the Changping district government.