Ripe apricots dangle from branches

In the Yaopo village of Tangyuan town, located in Linqing city in Shandong's Liaocheng, a distinctive variety of apricot constitutes the primary crop. This particular apricot species ripens in late May, coinciding with the yellowing of wheat spikes. 

Boasting a distinctive pink-gold hue, a tender and sticky texture, rich juice, and a shape reminiscent of both a peach and apricot, this variety, with its extensive cultivation history, stands as a scarce and valuable economic tree species, not only within the province but also on a national scale. The sweet kernel of the apricot, known as the almond, is edible on its own, earning it the monikers "sweet almond golden apricot", "sweet almond peach apricot", and "pink peach apricot". (Edited by Du Xiaping)

 Ripe apricots nestle among the branches. [Photo by Bian Jiuhua for chinadaily.com.cn]

A farmer picks apricots from the tree. [Photo by Zhang Zishui for chinadaily.com.cn]