Introduction to Classic Ancient Fruit Tree Picking Tours in Qilu Golden Autumn

Picking gardens to visit: Zhanhua Winter Jujube Ecological Tourism Zone Picking Garden in Binzhou, Mengquan Picking Garden in Zichuan, Zibo, New Film and Television Culture Park Picking Garden in Linyi, China’s No.1 Pear Garden Scenic Area in Guan County, Liaocheng, 500,000-Mu Jujube Forest Park in Leling, Dezhou, Tang Jujube Ecological Park in Qingyun, Dezhou, Fragrant Snow Garden of Old Yellow River Forest Park in Xiajin County, Dezhou

Nestled on the sunlit slopes of the western mountain range in Yicheng District, the garden boasts over 5.35 million pomegranate trees across 48 varieties. It serves not only as a vital production base for pomegranate fruits in China, but also an eco-cultural tourist zone integrating natural scenery, ecological gardens, folk religion, cultural heritage, sightseeing and leisure vacation. Hailed as a "Pearl of Ecological Tourism", it has earned numerous honors: Guinness World Record, National AAAA-level Tourist Attraction, one of the first National Agricultural Tourism Demonstration Sites, Provincial Scenic Spot, Provincial Nature Reserve, Civilized Scenic Area of Shandong Province, and Top Ten Industrial & Agricultural Tourism Zones in Shandong. It has also been awarded Golden List Brand of Hospitable Shandong Tourist Attractions, Shandong Self-Driving Tour Demonstration Site, Shandong Famous Service Brand, and one of Shandong’s First Top Ten Forest Ecological Landscapes.

Pomegranates ripen in the eighth lunar month (late September in the Gregorian calendar). The garden yields over 20 million jin of pomegranates annually, sold nationwide. Renowned for their fine taste and rich nutritional value, local pomegranates have long been the ideal gift for relatives and friends, as well as a must-buy specialty for tourists.

A National AA-level tourist attraction located in Yinma Town, Changyi City, Shanyang Millennium Pear Orchard covers more than 2,000 mu with over 60,000 pear trees in total. Among them, more than 10 trees are over 1,000 years old, over 500 date back to the Yuan and Ming dynasties, more than 3,000 originated in the Qing Dynasty, and over 25,000 are at least 100 years old.

Boasting a long history, the orchard enters harvest season every September, when heavy golden pears hang all over the branches and draw tourists from afar for sightseeing and purchases. The surrounding area abounds in places of historical interest with profound cultural heritage, including the Han Emperor Wu Viewing Platform where Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty halted four times during his eastern inspection tours to seek immortals, the Huo Guang Tomb, burial site of Huo Guang, a senior minister serving four emperors of the Western Han Dynasty, a grand canyon connected to the Bohai Sea via the Wei River, Shang and Zhou ruins, Zhang Family Courtyard from the Han Dynasty, and a thousand-year-old ancient well. Many historical legends have been passed down through generations, such as the Immortal Maiden Cave, Floating Firewood on Lushan Peak and Turtle Shell Rock.

Situated in Changcheng Town, Zhucheng City, the Liu Yong Chestnut Garden covers a total area of 18,000 mu, with a core zone of 3,100 mu and a planned total investment of 600 million RMB. The garden is densely covered with ancient trees: more than 10,000 chestnut trees over a century old, among which over 3,000 date back to the Ming and Qing dynasties. Home to over 300 chestnut varieties, the garden produces 300,000 kilograms of chestnuts each year, ranking among the country’s largest chestnut production and distribution hubs.

With a time-honored history, profound culture and picturesque ecology, the garden is verified to be the private manor of Liu Yong, a famous grand chancellor of the Qing Dynasty, preserved for hundreds of years to this day. Aiming to develop into an international tourist resort, it has grown into a large distinctive ecological garden blending forest and cultural landscapes, known as the "Kingdom of Ancient Trees" and "Natural Oxygen Bar". It has been certified as a National AAA-level Tourist Attraction and Shandong Agricultural Tourism Demonstration Site.

Xuejia Village sits at the northern foot of Zhaohu Mountain in the northern mountainous area of Haiyang, 30 kilometers away from downtown Haiyang. Nearby scenic spots include Zhaohu Mountain National Forest Park, Yunding Bamboo Forest, Congma Temple and Tianlai Valley.

Surrounded by mountains on three sides, the village features clear waters, green hills, honest villagers and outstanding talents. Its mountain forest area spans 7,000 mu, cultivated land 1,000 mu and fruit orchards 1,500 mu. Apple, large sweet cherry and strawberry are its pillar industries. Boasting a peaceful, tranquil environment with high negative oxygen ion concentration and rich folk culture, it retains pristine natural resources ideal for wellness retreats, relaxation, farm experience and folk custom appreciation.

The scenic area is abundant in ancient pear trees with well-preserved primitive ecology, long tree ages and premium fruit quality. The trees feature natural twisting shapes alongside high economic value, carrying profound symbolic significance and high reputation, while being convenient for picking, sightseeing and year-round tourism events.

The orchard covers a total area of 11,000 mu, stretching 10 kilometers from east to west at its longest and 2 kilometers at its narrowest point. It houses over 72,900 twisted, gnarled Laiyang pear trees aged over 100 years, among which 103 are more than 400 years old. The King Pear Tree in Lu’ergang has been recorded in China’s Records of Fruit Trees.

The scenic area offers complete supporting services. In off-peak seasons or for individual visitors, clean and convenient restaurants, hotels and rural homestays are available. During the tourist rush, visitors may check in at Jinshan International Hotel, a five-star hotel in the urban district, as well as other star-rated hotels, fully meeting demands for 1–2 days of leisure, farm picking and sightseeing