China’s No.1 Cherry Town – Tianbao Town

China’s No.1 Cherry Town – Tianbao Town

Located in the western part of Xintai City, Tianbao Town covers an area of 81.87 square kilometers and has a population of 45,000. It has long been known as a place “where nature’s treasures abound and talent flourishes.” The unique geographical environment of the northern mountainous region provides ideal conditions for cherry cultivation. Historical records indicate that cherry growing in Tianbao has a history of over 1,000 years, making it the authentic birthplace of Chinese cherries. Tianbao cherries are renowned for their large size, thin skin, delicious taste, and rich nutrition, earning them the title of “treasure among fruits.” They were once a top-grade tribute to ancient imperial courts, hailed as the “finest northern fruit” and celebrated alongside southern lychees. Notably, compared to other fruit trees, Tianbao cherries suffer from the fewest pests and diseases, requiring no pesticide use throughout their growth cycle, making them a purely natural green food. To date, the town has developed 15,000 acres of cherry orchards, involving 10 administrative villages along the northern Culaishan Mountain area. The annual cherry yield reaches 3 million pounds, generating an output value of over 9 million yuan, which increases the per capita income by more than 1,000 yuan. In 1998, it was officially named “China’s No.1 Cherry Town” by the Specialty Economic Professional Committee of the China Agricultural Society. While focusing on scale, the town also relies on science and technology to advance research, development, introduction, and promotion of cherries. It has established a 100-acre cherry demonstration garden, a 100-acre seedling breeding base, and 100 acres of cherry greenhouses. The cherry varieties are diverse, including five series and eighteen types such as Chinese cherry, dwarf cherry, Longguan, Ukrainian cherry, and Yanhong. The “Taishan Cherry Research Institute” has been founded, with technology service stations set up in all cherry-growing administrative villages, nurturing and supporting over 1,000 tech-savvy households. Seven specialized associations have been established to provide production, technical, and information services. To facilitate sales, two specialized cherry wholesale markets have been built in Nianjiayu and Zhaishanqian villages, with direct sales outlets in Beijing, Dalian, Shenyang, and Guangzhou, and over 100 cherry brokers operating in the area.

Address: Tianbao Town, Xintai City, Tai’an, Shandong Province

Recommended visiting time: about 1 hour