The picturesque apricot blossoms of Shuiyueping village, Shouyang town, Longxi county, Dingxi city, Gansu province. [Photo provided to gogansu.com]

On April 10, Shuiyueping village in Longxi county's Shouyang town was awash with the delicate hues of apricot blossoms. Thousands of apricot trees adorned the hills and slopes with their tender pink blossoms. Enthusiastic visitors flocked early to view this sea of flowers, snapping photographs, meandering along paths framed by blossoms, or frolicking beneath the apricot trees. They were savoring moments of leisure and delight.

Shuiyueping village has always been proud of its natural resources. Residents have been encouraged to transform barren slopes and riverbanks into thriving orchards, focusing on cultivating fruit-bearing crops such as Li Guang apricots, Huaxin pears, apples, and cherries. Impressively, the village now boasts over 1,600 mu (approximately 267 acres) of orchards, with 1,000 mu (approximately 167 acres) yielding fruits.

The burgeoning orchard industry has been instrumental in the village's rural revitalization strategy. In 2023, the sales of fruits reached over 2,700 tons, generating more than 8 million yuan ($1.1 million) in revenue, providing a sustainable source of income for the residents of the village.