As autumn arrives with crisp air and fragrant fruit, the countryside across Hebei is entering its peak harvest season for specialty forest fruits. Local regions are strengthening their agricultural advantages and blending farming with tourism, weaving a vibrant picture of rural revitalization.
In September, over 7,000 mu of mountain apples in Chanfang Township, Shahe City, Xingtai, are reaping a bountiful harvest. Leveraging the unique mountain climate at the eastern foot of the Taihang Mountains, slightly acidic soil, and spring water irrigation, the township produces a diverse range of apple varieties that ripen at staggered times, with the picking season running from mid-September to mid-November.
Li Xiaoren, a villager from Datai Village, Chanfang Township, Shahe City, noted: "Many buyers come directly to the fields to purchase, and the apples sell very quickly." In recent years, Shahe City has standardized orchard management practices, advanced the protection of fruit origin designations, and promoted deep integration of agriculture and tourism by capitalizing on its forest and mountain resources.
Yang Lulu, a publicity officer for Chanfang Township, Shahe City, explained: "On the basis of improving quality, boosting yields, standardizing management, and expanding sales channels, we are vigorously developing rural cultural tourism projects such as mountain excursions. This turns harvest scenes into rural landscapes and transforms specialty products into industries that enrich the people."
In Tengzhuangzi Town, Huanghua City, Bohai New Area, Cangzhou, tens of thousands of mu of winter jujubes are showing red fruit on branches, growing robustly. Jujube farmers are busy picking, sorting, and packing to ensure the fresh fruit hits the market promptly.
A jujube farmer from Tengzhuangzi Town, Huanghua City, Cangzhou, shared: "This year, our winter jujubes in Huanghua's Tengzhuangzi have grown exceptionally well—thin-skinned, thick-fleshed, and juicy. We hope our lives will keep getting better and more prosperous every day."
The picturesque harvest has fueled rural picking tourism, with visitors from all around coming to experience orchard picking, savor seasonal flavors, and immerse themselves in the countryside's autumn harvest atmosphere. A tourist commented: "These winter jujubes are also soft and sweet when steamed. I plan to pick more today to bring back for family and friends."
Beyond Tengzhuangzi Town, Huanghua City in Bohai New Area, Cangzhou, has recently built standardized winter jujube demonstration orchards and consistently hosted the Huanghua Winter Jujube Festival to strengthen the "Huanghua Winter Jujube" regional public brand. By organizing offline production-supply matching events, cultural tourism activities centered on ancient jujube orchard picking, and routine e-commerce livestream sales, the city promotes both online and offline channels. This coordination advances deep processing of winter jujubes and the fusion of agriculture, culture, and tourism, lifting the incomes of over 12,000 farming households and achieving an annual output value of 1 billion yuan for winter jujubes.
During the golden autumn season, the 1,000 mu of Muscat grapes in Shashiyu Village, Zunhua City, have entered their mature harvest period. Thanks to the area's unique mountain environment and mineral-rich soil, the grapes there boast firm flesh and a natural floral aroma. Tourist Sun Lili remarked: "I've long heard about the great taste of Shashiyu grapes, so I came here specifically to pick them today."
In the 1950s and 1960s, under harsh conditions described as "soil as precious as pearls, water as scarce as oil, and rocks covering the mountains," Shashiyu villagers created a human marvel by reclaiming barren stone slopes into productive farmland. In recent years, they have carried forward the spirit of the contemporary "Foolish Old Man," developing the grape cultivation industry tailored to local conditions. Today, local vineyards exceed 1,200 mu, yielding 2 million jin annually with an output value of 15 million yuan. They have also expanded the original village history museum into the Shashiyu Exhibition Hall, built a high-standard tourism landscape belt around the village, and developed several distinctive farmstay establishments.
Yang Xiaohui, a villager from Shashiyu Village, Zunhua City, Tangshan, stated: "Our income is quite substantial now, and our lives are getting better and better." Li Guangshun, the village party secretary of Shashiyu Village, added: "We will continue to be guided by party building, build on the foundation of the 1,000-mu grape industry, further deepen the integration of agriculture, culture, and tourism, extend the industrial chain, and raise added value, effectively driving income growth for villagers."
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