In the outskirts of Beijing, flowers are blooming everywhere in the spring, each creating a unique and romantic scenery. Pink apricot blossoms decorate the mountains and fields, golden rapeseed flowers shine brightly, and vast areas of pear and peach blossoms are breathtakingly beautiful... Many city residents come to the suburbs on weekends to enjoy the flowers and the beauty of spring by strolling through the sea of flowers.

More than ten foreign diplomats visit the Peach Blossom Sea in Pinggu

On April 14th-15th, the "Foreign Diplomats Visit China - Sense the Beijing Peach Blossom for Ten Miles in Pinggu" event was held. More than 30 diplomats, chargéd affaires, counsellors, and their family members from over ten countries such as Thailand and Argentina came to Pinggu to visit places such as the Peach Blossom Sea, Jinhai Lake, and the Beijing Agricultural Science and Technology Innovation Center, fully perceiving the achievements of rural revitalization, ecological protection, and high-quality development in Beijing.

The event lasted for two days. On the 14th, the embassy delegation visited the Xiaoyuzi Peach Blossom Sea in Dahua Mountain Town. Looking out from the Taoyuan Yizhan observation deck, the sea of flowers was vast, with thousands of acres of peach trees filling their vision. The delegation separately visited the Taoyuan Yizhan exhibition hall, multi-function hall, and Peach Culture Museum, as well as the intangible cultural heritage experience hall, carnival exhibition hall of intangible cultural heritage, Peach Culture Museum experience hall, and specialty agricultural product exhibition hall, and took a group photo as a memento.

On the 15th, the embassy delegation went to the Shangzhai Cultural Exhibition Hall, Pinggu Zhongguancun Agricultural Science and Technology Park Innovation Workshop, and Jinhai Lake Scenic Area for visits, and also experienced violin making at the Huadong Musical Instrument Company.

Thai Ambassador to China Arthayudh Srisamoot said, "Seeing so many blooming peach blossoms, I've seen and appreciated the Pinggu's efforts to develop modern smart agriculture, and hope that Pinggu will continue to develop diversified agriculture and become China's 'granary'."

This event was organized by the Foreign Diplomatic Personnel Service Bureau of Beijing, the News Office of the Beijing Municipal People's Government, and the Foreign Affairs Office of the Beijing Municipal People's Government, and hosted by the Pinggu District People's Government.

Thousands of Acres of Apricot Blossoms are in Full Bloom in Yanqing

On April 15th, the 2023 Yanqing Xiangying Apricot Consumption Season theme event was held in Xinzhuangbao Village, Xiangying Township. The spring breeze blew all night, and apricot blossoms bloomed throughout the mountains. The spring weather was perfect, and in Xinzhuangbao Village of Xiangying Township, apricot blossoms were blooming to their fullest. Xiangying Township is the largest apricot tree base in North China, known as the "Apricot Village" of Beijing. There are nearly 10,000 acres of apricot trees planted here, including 3,640 acres of fresh-eating apricots with over 140 varieties such as Luotuohuang, Hulu, and Qingmisha.

The main line of this Apricot Blossom Consumption Season is to enjoy the apricot blossoms. A series of activities were held simultaneously, including the opening of the Xingfuli Commercial Street, the Youth Fellowship Activity "Meeting You with Apricots", a cycling tour to start the "Apricot" Fortune, praying for blessings on Mount Fugui, and the "Apricot" Women's Half Marathon.

Xingfuli Commercial Street is located in Xinzhuangbao Village, with houses made of blue bricks and gray tiles. The apricot blossom series painted on the walls were hand-drawn by painters, and the triangular area outside the wall has been transformed into a leisure small square. The circulating water system adds spirituality to this place, giving it the charm of a traditional Chinese home with small bridges and flowing water. On the day of the event, Xingfu Commercial Street had three exhibitions and sales areas for Yanqing intangible cultural heritage and creative products, Yanqing agricultural specialty products, and Yanqing specialty snacks. Tourists could not only purchase characteristic souvenirs and taste Yanqing snacks but also experience traditional folk activities such as stilts and dry boats.

So far, Xiangying Township has held a series of Apricot Blossom Festival activities for 15 consecutive years.

Translator: TANG Yingqi

Reviewer: BAO Minmin