Earlier this month, the lotus fields of Wufu Township, Fujian Province, burst into a vibrant bloom, attracting tourists and giving local farmers' incomes a welcome boost.
Visitors have been flocking to stroll along the scenic ponds or ride a charming train for an immersive floral experience.
"I really enjoy coming here. Every year when the lotus flowers bloom, we make a visit. Seeing the flowers puts me in a great mood, especially when I can bring the whole family and the kids. It's a very happy experience," said a tourist named Wu Wenmei.
Wufu's mild, humid climate and fertile soil provide ideal conditions for lotus cultivation. In recent years, many young people have returned to their hometown to start agricultural businesses and expand sales channels.
"Since we started business on short video platforms, we have been able to sell around 1,000 boxes of lotus flowers a day online. Each box contains 10 lotus flowers, so that's about 10,000 flowers picked every day," said young entrepreneur Liu Xuchun.
In addition to flower viewing, the area is now in peak season for harvesting fresh lotus seeds. Every morning, farmers collect lotus pods and process them into dried seeds.
"We're currently producing about 400 kg of dried lotus seeds per day. As the white lotus matures, our production will continue to increase," said local farmer Lian Lilai.
Wufu now has nearly 10,000 mu (more than 666 hectares) of lotus fields. The full industry chain generates over 100 million yuan (about 14 million U.S. dollars) annually and has become a key part of the local rural revitalization strategy.
Lotus blooms in Fujian township attract tourists, revitalizing rural charm
