Linyi holds crabapple cultural tourism festival

The 13th Yizhou Chinese Flowering Crabapple Cultural Tourism Festival was recently held in the Hedong district of Linyi city, East China's Shandong province, from March 31 to April 6.

During the festival, more than 120 plant nurseries and flower cooperatives showcased exquisite Chinese flowering crabapple (malus spectabilis) plants, boasting a diverse array of over 100 varieties. Additionally, a range of activities were also organized for attendees to enjoy. These included e-commerce training sessions for nurseries and flower cooperatives, as well as live streams for real-time product sales.

The Chinese flowering crabapple, Linyi's city flower, is celebrated for its sizable, colorful, and enduring blooms. This festival attracts a multitude of visitors to Hedong. Over time, the festival has transformed into a noteworthy local cultural emblem, yielding positive social and economic outcomes.

In recent years, Tanghe town, administered by Hedong district, has made Chinese flowering crabapple cultivation its flagship industry. The town has a planting area that surpasses 20,000 mu (about 1,333.33 hectares), and its yearly production and sales have reached 25 million seedlings and 8 million potted bonsai. This agricultural sector now serves as a crucial driver for rural vitalization and industrial development. (Edited by Du Xiaping)

A spectacular performance takes place at the opening ceremony. [Photo by Xing Ziqin for chinadaily.com.cn]

A merchant introduces exquisite Chinese flowering crabapple plants during a live broadcast. [Photo by Xing Ziqin for chinadaily.com.cn]