Villagers trade their kilns for cherry trees

GUIYANG — Every spring, Taoying village, nestled in Wumeng Mountain in Guizhou province, comes to life as large swaths of cherry trees reach their peak bloom, drawing throngs of visitors.

Taoying is situated in the heart of the cultivation zone for the "Agate Red" cherry variety, located in the Shedongguan Yi, Miao and Bai township of Nayong county, Bijie city. Over the years, these cherries have evolved into a symbol of the village's identity.

Thanks to afforestation efforts spanning the past two decades, the remote landlocked village has transformed its once-barren mountains, plagued by rocky desertification, into picturesque areas adorned with cherry trees, benefiting the villagers financially.