On May 6th, the official WeChat account "Yangxian Release" published an open letter titled "To Hubei's Enshi: A Thousand Miles of Warmth, the Hometown of Crested Ibis Awaits Your Visit." The letter announced that, starting May 7th, 2026, the Huayang Scenic Area, Cai Lun's Tomb and Temple, and the Crested Ibis Pear Garden Scenic Area in Yangxian County, Shaanxi Province, will waive admission fees for all citizens of Enshi Prefecture for one year. This gesture of goodwill originated from a truckload of apples.
According to reports from media outlets including CCTV News and Hubei Daily, on May 1st, fruit vendor Ji Yaozhong from Yangxian County, Shaanxi, drove from Yan'an carrying over 8,000 jin (approximately 4,000 kg) of apples destined for Xianfeng County in Hubei's Enshi Prefecture. Around 4:00 PM on May 2nd, he experienced symptoms including weakness in his right hand and difficulty speaking. He went to the emergency department of the Xianfeng County Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, where he was diagnosed with an acute cerebral infarction (stroke). Doctors strongly recommended immediate hospitalization, but Ji was concerned about the apples in his truck and was reluctant to be admitted. It was only after repeated persuasion from his family around 11:00 PM on May 2nd that he finally completed the hospitalization procedures. His condition is now gradually improving, although he still experiences unsteady walking and an inability to hold objects with his right upper limb, requiring long-term rehabilitation therapy.
On May 3rd, his wife, Liang Lili, rushed to Xianfeng to care for him at his bedside. However, as she cannot drive, the 8,000 jin of apples remained stranded at the hospital. It is reported that Ji Yaozhong's family of six relies on his fruit sales for their livelihood; his parents suffer from chronic illnesses like cerebral infarction and coronary heart disease, and his two children are students.
Upon learning of the family's situation on the afternoon of May 4th, logistical staff from the Xianfeng County Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital moved the truck to the hospital's main entrance. They set up tables and chairs to create a temporary sales point, pricing the apples at 5 yuan per jin, and initiated a charity sale. The act of kindness quickly spread from the hospital throughout the entire city. Many residents of Xianfeng, having seen the news, pre-ordered apples, and even late into the night, compassionate individuals continued to come and purchase them. In just 19 hours, the entire stock of over 8,000 jin of apples was sold out, generating more than 34,000 yuan in total revenue.
In response to the warm invitation from Yangxian, Xianfeng County in Enshi issued its own warm invitation. On May 7th, "Xianfeng Release" responded to their "friends in Yangxian," announcing that starting May 7th, 2026, all ticketed scenic spots in Xianfeng County will offer free admission for one year to residents of Yangxian County in Hanzhong City, Shaanxi Province. All Yangxian residents can gain free entry by presenting their valid ID cards to visit the Tangya Tusi Domain (a UNESCO World Heritage site), the Pingbaying Scenic Area (a National 4A-level tourist attraction), and the Tangya River-Golden Cave Scenic Area (also a National 4A-level tourist attraction). An act of mutual support has thus forged a connection between these two cities.
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