Early summer in Guiyang brings pleasant mild weather. Besides the cool breeze, sweetness hides among the branches – waxberries, peaches, blueberries, loquats, and more. A variety of fresh fruits are now in their prime picking season. On weekends, escape the hustle and bustle of the city, head to the countryside, and wander through the orchards. This fruit-picking guide is here to help you savor the sweetness of summer.

Waxberry

Picking season: May to July

Waxberry trees possess lush foliage and rounded canopies. Their purplish-red fruits are juicy with a sweet-and-sour flavor. Rich in anthocyanins and vitamin C, they can help stimulate the appetite and promote fluid production in the body. Waxberries can also be made into fruit wine, jam, and more.

Recommended picking spots: Xinshao village, Huaxi district, Guiyang; Hongyan village, Xiaomeng sub-district, Huaxi district, Guiyang; Ali village, Wudang district, Guiyang.

Loquat

Picking season: May to June

Loquat is a popular early-summer fruit, with pale yellow skin and soft, tender, sweet, and very juicy flesh. Rich in nutrients and known for soothing the throat and clearing the lungs, it can be made into loquat paste, sweet soups, and more.

Recommended picking spots: Shuitang village, Yongle township, Nanming district, Guiyang; Nanjiang township, Kaiyang county, Guiyang; Maotiaohe, Xiuwen county, Guiyang; Luwo town, Xifeng county, Guiyang.

Blueberry

Picking season: June to August

Blueberries are small and plump, with a natural white bloom on their skins. Their flesh is sweet and slightly tart, with a refreshing taste and rich aroma. High in anthocyanins, they are often used in baking and beverages.

Recommended picking spot: Maling Blueberry Demonstration Garden, Maling township, Huaxi district, Guiyang.

Peach

Picking season: June to September

Peaches are a must‑eat summer fruit. Their flesh is plump, tender, juicy, and wonderfully fragrant and sweet, with many varieties to choose from. The skin ranges in color from pinkish white to bright red. Peaches are rich in vitamins and dietary fiber.

Recommended picking spots: Yongle township, Nanming district, Guiyang; Qingrengu Peach Orchard, Wudang district, Guiyang.

Grape

Picking season: June to July

Grapes are round and plump, with crisp, juicy flesh and a perfectly balanced sweet-and-sour taste. Available in a wide range of colors and packed with nutrients, they can be enjoyed fresh or used for winemaking, dried fruit, and more.

Recommended picking spots: Matou village, Wudang district, Guiyang; Zhazuo town, Xiuwen county, Guiyang; Hongyan village, Xiaozhaiba, Xifeng county, Guiyang; Youqi village, Hongfenghu town, Qingzhen county-level city, Guiyang.

In Guiyang City and Gui'an New Area, orchards are fragrant and the scenery is beautiful. Bring your family and friends, and take home nature's sweetness and joy.