An apricot blossom festival opens in Yanggao county. [Photo provided to goshanxi.com.cn]

On April 16, the Yanggao Apricot Blossom Festival and Great Wall Cultural Tourism Season kicked off in Yanggao county, Datong, North China's Shanxi province.

The event features seven main sections, including the opening ceremony, cultural and tourism fusion performances, specialty product exhibitions, the apricot blossom festival gala, and a photography exhibition. This series of cultural and tourism activities focuses on enjoying apricot blossoms, exploring ancient forts, admiring the Great Wall, and experiencing the beauty of nature.

Yanggao county boasts abundant sunshine, moderate rainfall, and ideal conditions for apricot tree growth, with an apricot cultivation history of over 400 years. The county's apricot orchards cover an area exceeding 200,000 mu (13,333 hectares).

An apricot blossom festival opens in Yanggao county. [Photo provided to goshanxi.com.cn]

In recent years, the county has actively promoted the integrated development of its cultural and tourism industries by leveraging its rich cultural heritage, pristine ecological environment, and diverse tourist resources to create unique cultural brands, specialty industries, and scenic spots.

Since 2008, Yanggao county has hosted more than 10 editions of the Apricot Blossom Festival and Great Wall Cultural Tourism Season, showcasing the stunning beauty of blooming apricot flowers against a backdrop of the Great Wall, creating a unique springtime spectacle.

This activity series is expected to continue until June.