The annual Yantai cherry festival kicked off in Fushan district, Yantai, Shandong province on May 16 and will last for one month.

More than 20 online celebrities and four e-commerce platforms helped promote over 300 cherry products by 56 companies at the opening ceremony.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the activity was held both online and offline. Livestreaming has greatly helped in the promotion of the city's famous cherries.

Yantai has a long history in planting cherries. The city accounts for about two-thirds of China's overall output of the fruit.

The cherry planation area in the city's Fushan district measures more than 110,000 mu (7,333.33 hectares) and has an annual output exceeding 80,000 tons. The brand value of Fushan cherries is currently 2.04 billion yuan ($287.1 million).

Most cherries in the city started ripening around May 20. To allow more customers to savor these fresh cherries, the city has opened eight flight routes to major cities including Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou.

The annual cherry festival takes place in Fushan district, Yantai on May 16, with many online celebrities and platform broadcasting. [Photo/WeChat account: ytwlgw ]

Fushan cherries are bright and have high nutritional value. [Photo/WeChat account: ytwlgw]