No.1 Pear Orchard Scenic Area in China

The No.1 Pear Orchard Scenic Area is located north of Hanlu Village, Lanwo Township, Guanxian County, Shandong Province. It sits along the ancient course of the Yellow River at the junction of Hebei, Shandong and Henan provinces. It is a national 3A-level scenic spot, a national demonstration site for leisure agriculture and rural tourism, and a provincial-level agricultural tourism demonstration site. It has also been rated as one of Shandong’s fastest-growing scenic areas, an honest tourism model unit in Shandong, and one of the 100 must-visit attractions in Shandong.

Built on abundant natural pear-tree landscapes together with profound pear culture and humanistic sights, the scenic area covers 30,000 mu, including 500 mu of high-quality orchards. It is famous for snow-white pear blossoms and sweet Yali pears. Nearly thirty varieties are grown here, including large snow pears, autumn white pears, an pears, red xiao pears, five-spice flour pears, goose pears, snowflake pears and emerald green pears.

This orchard ranks first nationwide in terms of long cultivation history, concentrated planting area, ancient tree ages, rich varieties and careful conservation management, hence its title as China’s top pear orchard. It stands as a brilliant highlight on the tourist route of the "Water City in North China".

The orchard boasts a long history. Historical records show that Yali pears from Guanxian were already well-known across the country as early as the reign of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty. Centuries-old trees spread all over the orchard. In spring, pear blossoms bloom like piles of snow and spread of jade. In summer, leafy branches form an endless green ocean. In autumn, heavy fruits fill the branches, permeating the air with sweet fragrance. In winter, twisting bare branches form picturesque scenes. The four seasons together create magnificent natural scrolls.

Development and construction of the scenic area began in 2005. The Shandong Tourism Planning & Design Institute drafted the master plan. A total investment of 37 million yuan was put into the first-phase project. Following the development philosophy of "enjoying blossoms in spring, green foliage in summer, fresh fruits in autumn and ancient trees in winter" as well as the principles of ecology, harmony and refinement, the whole zone centres on the "King Pear Tree" which is more than 360 years old. Thirteen scenic zones have been constructed: Pear King Palace, Brotherhood Garden, Pear Fairy Residence, Hundred Herbs Garden, Family Love Garden, Blossom Viewing Garden, Imperial Lodge Garden, Lucky Garden, Health Preservation Garden, Tribute Pear Garden, Forest Amusement Park, the Ruins of Hanlu Temple, and the Pear Varieties Collection Garden.

Within the Blossom Viewing Garden stands a 3-storey viewing platform reaching 16 metres high. Standing on top, visitors can overlook the entire ten-thousand-mu orchard. A more-than-one-hundred-metre-long plank road stretches like a rainbow above the pear trees. Walking along it, visitors wander amid blooming flowers with ripe fruits hanging nearby, feeling as if they are wandering in fairyland. Facilities including Petal Lake, teahouses and rural homestays further enrich recreational activities and cultural experiences.

Up to now, the orchard has hosted ten sessions of the Pear Orchard Cultural Tourism Week and eight fruit-picking festivals with remarkable outcomes. Since the first tourism week, Hanlu Village has received an average of over 500,000 tourists each year, with visitor numbers rising year by year. Total tourism revenue has reached 160 million yuan. These events have popularized the No.1 Pear Orchard and greatly improved the reputation of Guanxian County.

Come to the No.1 Pear Orchard in China to enjoy singing birds and fragrant blossoms, experience agricultural sightseeing, and embrace the peace of nature!