Fruit ripe in Yantai: A guide to autumn picking

As the autumn breeze rolls in, Yantai is turning into a landscape of abundance. Orchards are heavy with fruit, fields are shimmering with golden grain, and the joy of harvest drifts through the air. Here's a guide to three signature fruits of the season — and where to pick them yourself.

Apples: A legend on the golden latitude

Yantai apples have topped China's regional fruit brand value rankings for 16 straight years. Qixia, the core production area, sits on the 37 degrees north latitude golden fruit belt — ample sunshine and rich brown soil make every bite sweeter.

Best time: mid-October to mid-November

Where: Xiaojiakuang village, Fushan district, Yantai

Every October, red apples hang all over the branches in Yantai's orchards. [Photo/WeChat account: ytwlgw]

Pears: The taste of Jiaodong

Laiyang pears have been a tribute fruit for centuries, earning Laiyang the name "China's Pear Town". Grown along the Wulong River's sandy banks, they are juicy, sweet, and nearly grit-free.

Best time: Oct 1 to mid-October

Where: Zhaowangzhuang town, Laiyang, Yantai

Laiyang pears are a taste of autumn engraved in the memories of the people of Jiaodong. [Photo/WeChat account: ytwlgw]

Grapes: A coast of wine and sunshine

Yantai is Asia's only "International Vine and Wine City". Mild coastal air and plenty of sun make its grapes plump and bright — pick them fresh or try your hand at winemaking.

Best time: September to late October

Where: wineries across Yantai

Many wineries in Yantai offer the experience of picking grapes by hand. [Photo/WeChat account: ytwlgw]

（chinadaily.com.cn）