In the sun-drenched valleys of Tianshui, northwest China's Gansu Province, a quiet revolution is unfolding. The earthy aroma of Chinese prickly ash – a fiery spice integral to Sichuan cuisine – mingles with the sweet fragrance of ripe apples, creating an olfactory map of economic transformation. From Gangu County's bustling processing workshops to Qin'an County's sprawling orchards, local industries are rewriting the narrative of rural development.
Gangu's prickly ash sector now supports over 120 specialized cooperatives, employing more than 50,000 residents. 'What began as small family workshops has grown into a 2.8 billion yuan ($385 million) industry,' explains Wang Li, an agricultural economist at Lanzhou University. The spice now reaches markets across Asia and Europe through cross-border e-commerce platforms.
Meanwhile, Qin'an's apple orchards span 410,000 mu (27,333 hectares), with annual output exceeding 600,000 tonnes. Innovative cold chain logistics and eco-friendly cultivation techniques have boosted yields by 40% since 2020. 'Our apples now grace dining tables from Beijing to Bangkok,' says orchard manager Zhang Wei, standing beneath branches heavy with Honeycrisp and Red Fuji varieties.
These thriving sectors exemplify China's rural revitalization strategy, combining traditional agriculture with modern supply chains. The economic ripple effects are visible in upgraded road networks, new vocational training centers, and a 15% year-on-year increase in rural tourism. As sunset gilds the terraced fields, Tianshui's villages stand as living proof that sustainable development can preserve cultural heritage while building modern prosperity.
