Expats impressed by dynamic Qixia

[Video provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

A group of expats embarked on a tour to the county-level city of Qixia in Yantai, East China's Shandong province on April 22, in which they said they were impressed by the city's vigorous vitality and rich cultural deposits.

They visited Miaohou town in Qixia, the trip's first stop, and had a closer look at the breeding process of cherry seedlings.

"I've learned so much. This is the first time I've seen a cherry seedling in a glass bottle," said Ian Keith Chen, who is from the United States and works as a teacher at a university in Yantai.

David James, a teacher from the United Kingdom, said that cherries in Qixia are tasty and juicy, adding he will bring his friends to have a taste.

Miaohou town in Qixia is surrounded by mountains, and has historically yielded abundant large cherries. In recent years, the local government has introduced technology and generated funds, helping villagers to establish an agricultural cooperative and bring more agribusiness opportunities.

Official data showed that the annual output of cherries in the town reached 50,000 kilograms, generating an annual output value of more than 50 million yuan ($7.22 million).

Xujiacun village in Qixia has also made great efforts to build a beautiful countryside suitable for both living and working while accelerating rural vitalization. The international tourists experienced the beautiful countryside that offers lush mountains, clear waters, and a reminder of the rural lifestyle.