Tourists take a selfie in the sunflower field in the town of Hangtian, in Jinta county, Jiuquan, Gansu province. [Photo provided to jiuquan.gogansu.com]

A sea of sunflowers recently bloomed in Hangtian, a town in Jinta county, Jiuquan, Gansu province, drawing many visitors to admire their delicate beauty.

"We grow edible sunflowers, which are known for their short growth cycle, strong adaptability, drought resistance, and tolerance to salt and alkali," said a local villager surnamed Zhang. He added that the soil and climate conditions in Hangtian are ideal for cultivating edible sunflowers.

This year, Hangtian planted 8,600 mu (573.33 hectares) of sunflowers using drip irrigation. This initiative has not only promoted the local characteristic planting industry but also provided job opportunities for nearby residents.