Floral season spurs economic renewal in Ningbo villages

Villagers pick cherry blossoms. [Photo by Wu Daqing for Tide News]

High in the Siming Mountain of Ningbo, Zhejiang province, a vibrant cherry blossom season is breathing new life into both the landscape and the livelihoods of rural communities.

As early blossoms fade across the Jiangnan region, Dalan town on Siming Mountain is stepping into the height of spring. On April 10, crimson cherry trees were scattered across misty tea plantations at the headwaters of the Yaojiang River. The mountain breeze carried the scent of tea leaves and fresh petals through the hills, offering a moment of rustic beauty and quiet poetry.

Winding through mountain roads leads to villages like Yazhuang, where a 30-year-old cherry tree known as the "king of cherry blossoms" draws admirers year after year.

But the cherry blossoms are more than just a springtime spectacle — they're becoming a pillar of the local economy.

"In the past, the petals just fell to the ground and rotted," said a local resident surnamed Wu, "Now, a company buys them for 10 yuan ($1.36) per kilogram. My wife and I can harvest over 40 kg in half a day. It's made a big difference."

That change was made possible in 2024 with the opening of the Shengying Ecological Common Prosperity Workshop in Daluxia village. Using low-temperature vacuum drying, the workshop turns delicate fresh blossoms into dried floral products. A cooperative processing center is owned by collectives from six nearby communities and distributes profits based on stakeholdings. This year alone, local families earned an extra 700,000 yuan during blossom season.

By combining agriculture, tourism, and cultural events, Dalan town is turning cherry blossoms into more than a seasonal beauty. It's building a foundation for long-term prosperity.