Xiguoyuan town, Qilihe district of Lanzhou, Gansu province, is known as the place of origin and main producing area of lily bulbs. The crop, often used in traditional Chinese medicine, has brought prosperity to the town, which is home to 1,333 hectares of lily bulb fields and over 70 processing enterprises.

Lily bulbs cultivated in Xiguoyuan town, Qilihe district of Lanzhou, Gansu province [Photo provided by Qilihe district]

In recent years, the town has accelerated the development of facility agriculture. A large body of villagers has increased their income by growing fruit, traditional Chinese medicinal materials, edible fungi, and flowers.

Beautiful flowers are seen in a greenhouse in Xiguoyuan town, Qilihe district of Lanzhou, Gansu province. [Photo provided by Qilihe district]

The town plans to build 80 solar greenhouses and one multi-span greenhouse, in order to create an agricultural demonstration industrial park integrating leisure sightseeing, fruit picking, and agricultural product display and research. It is expected to achieve an annual income of 2.79 million yuan ($405,759.16) once put into use.