Waxberries put Shaoguan on track to prosperity

The annual Shixing Waxberry Festival kicked off on May 26 in Shixing county, Shaoguan, drawing a large crowd of tourists wishing to sample the subtropical fruit.

At the festival, participants were also treated to various performances, including the traditional lion dance and other song and dance routines.

The traditional lion dance is performed at the annual waxberry festival, which kicked off on May 26 in Shixing county, Shaoguan. [Photo/sg.gov.cn]

Well-known as China's home of the waxberry, Shixing county has a long history of growing the sweet and purplish-red fruit, with its cultivation area reaching 20,000 mu (approximately 1333.33 hectares). 

Every year, many tourists are attracted to the county, hoping to get a taste of the fresh and juicy berries, which unsurprisingly receive high marks from foodies.

In recent years, the county has been striving to tap into its potential by integrating the local agricultural industry with rural tourism. 

The waxberry festival has recently been gaining fame among cities in the Pearl River Delta, and has grown into a new engine of growth for local tourism and rural revitalization.

Baskets of sweet and juicy waxberries are on display at the annual waxberry festival, which kicked off on May 26 in Shixing county, Shaoguan. [Photo/sg.gov.cn]