An aerial view of the rail tracks built to facilitate the transporting of fruit boxes. [Photo provided to China Daily]
As the fresh and rejuvenating breeze of spring approaches most parts of the country, orchards of oranges in Zigui county, Yichang city in Central China's Hubei province witness peak harvesting season, as well as a growing number of tourists who seek to experience local rural farming life.
Spanning across the highlands that overlook the Three Gorges on the Yangtze River, the orchards in Zigui are one of the country's biggest production bases of citrus fruits, and one of the few areas that can harvest oranges throughout the year thanks to its mild climate, abundant rainfall and fertile soil.
A local farmer works in an orchard in Zigui county, Yichang city, Hubei province. [Photo provided to China Daily]
Covering an area of 26,700 hectares, the orchards produce more than 1 million metric tons of oranges annually, with a sales value of over 20 billion yuan ($2.9 billion). The citrus industry is a key pillar in Zigui, offering jobs for over 70 percent of the local population.
In recent years, local authorities are stepping up efforts to promote its agritourism.
Visitors to the orchards can take in the bustling sight of the harvest — the mountains are covered with thousands of citrus trees laden with golden fruits; farmers are busily engaged in picking the fruits; and fruit boxes are automatically transported via a network of rail tracks that cover most part of the orchards.
Spanning across the highlands on the bank of the Yangtze River, Zigui county is one of the country's major production bases of citrus fruits. [Photo provided to China Daily]
