A farmer picks fruit from a tree. [Photo/zjgonline.com.cn]
Two villages in Zhangjiagang – Shan'gang village and Yongli village – recently made the list of Suzhou's first 10 demonstration villages for beautiful orchards.
Shan'gang village has 1,200 mu (80 hectares) of orchards that mainly grow grapes, figs, pomegranates, pears, and oranges. The village's 985-mu grapery generates an annual output of 31.55 million yuan ($4.52 million), which accounts for 58 percent of the village's total agricultural income.
Yongli village has about 350 mu of orchards, where peaches, pears, and loquats are grown. The orchards also house a packaging factory, cold store, and offices.
To promote the integrated development of agriculture and tourism, as well as increase local farmers' incomes, the two villages are also offering various activities for visitors, including farming culture exhibitions, camping, fishing, and picnics.