Page 14 - YunnanTourismCultureTimes (103)

13 TOUR ROUTES | 游线

Thrilling agricultural competitions

农事竞技妙趣横生

“Go! Go! Go!” “Hurry up! They’ve frenzy. Cao Qinglian, a visitor from
already husked two-thirds of the corn Shanghai, expressed her delight: “This
cobs over there!” During the Har- experience is incredible; it’s truly
vest Festival in Longjiang Township, beautiful here. I love the fried rice
Longling County, Baoshan City, Yunnan fish; it’s particularly fragrant, crispy
Province, a variety of entertaining agri- on the outside and tender on the in-
cultural competitions drew in many lo- side—absolutely delicious.”
cal farmers and tourists. The corn-husk- The influx of tourists has signif-
ing contest was a lively affair, filled icantly revitalized local restaurants,
with cheers and laughter. “This is the guesthouses, and snack streets in Long-
first time we’ve organized a corn-husk- jiang, bringing new life to rural areas.
ing competition, turning our everyday Statistics indicate that over 1,200 job
farming tasks into an exciting event. opportunities were created during this
It’s truly fun, exhilarating, and a nice year’s harvest festival, attracting more
connection to our daily lives,” said Yang than 12,000 visitors and generating over
Taisheng, the first-place winner. 15 million yuan in tourism revenue.
Situated in the northwest of Longling In Mingzi Village of Yongshan
County, Longjiang is a tourist destina- County, Zhaotong City, the Farmers’
tion that offers a blend of natural beauty, Sports Meeting was both intense and or-
cultural heritage, and culinary delights. derly. Competitors stringing chili peppers
This year, the main event of the Chinese showcased their dexterity as vibrant red
Farmers’ Harvest Festival in Yunnan chilies danced through their hands, form-
was held in Longjiang Township, show- ing impressive strings. “I participated in
casing a variety of traditional agricul- activities like rice harvesting, corn thresh-
tural activities that attracted numerous ing, and chili-stringing,” said participant
visitors and created new business oppor- Yin Wenjiang. “I experienced the joy of
tunities for local villagers. the harvest, the pleasure of labor, and
He Shuai, a tourist from Kunming, the thrill of sports.”
was among the crowd enjoying a lively Meanwhile, in Nagu Town, Huize
corn-shucking competition. “Watching County, engaging competitions took
such a thrilling event is a unique experi- place, including the rice paddy 100-me-
ence,” he told our reporters. “The com- ter dash, tug-of-war, rice harvesting, and
petition showcases the skills and spirit fish and duck catching. The 100-meter
of the farmers, allowing me to feel the dash included three categories: carry-
joy of the harvest.” ing pomegranates on shoulder poles,
In the vibrant atmosphere of the transporting rice on shoulder poles, and
1,230-hectare highland terraced rice holding squash in the arms. Participants
paddies, fish were jumping and cheers sprinted down dirt paths in the rice
filled the air. Tourists rolled up their fields, fully immersing themselves in the
sleeves and waded into the rice fields excitement of the sports while celebrat-
to participate in the fish-catching ing the joys of the harvest.