Ancient pear trees bloom in Zigong's Sanduozhai town

More than a hundred ancient pear trees entered full bloom at the Sanduozhai Pear Garden Scenic Area in Da'an District of Zigong, on Mar. 11, drawing visitors eager to enjoy the vibrant spring scenery.

Clusters of white blossoms blanketed the historic hillside of Sanduozhai town, where many of the pear trees are more than a century old. The oldest tree in the orchard is over 160 years old. Besides the ancient pear trees, the village is also home to other long-standing trees, including lychee, jujube, pomelo and banyan varieties, many of which have stood for more than a hundred years.

Beyond spring flower viewing, visitors can step into the centuries-old town to learn about the history of local salt merchants and the cultural heritage that shaped the community. The historic setting offers an immersive glimpse into the region's past while allowing visitors to experience the charm of traditional rural life.

In recent years, Sanduozhai town has hosted a series of events like the "Pear Blossom Kite Festival," exploring new tourism models built around seasonal flower viewing. By integrating historical heritage, ecological agriculture and cultural experiences, the village has developed a distinctive "flower-viewing plus" rural tourism economy.

The scenic area now receives more than 400,000 visitors each year on average. This massive influx of visitors with shared interests in natural living has boosted local industries like specialty agricultural products, catering and rural homestays. The integration of agriculture, culture and tourism offers something rather unique, which has fast turned into a new growth driver for the village's rural development.