The 21st Apple Arts Festival opened in Qixia, East China's Shandong province on Oct 26.

Held in the harvest season, this year's Apple Arts Festival celebrates the agricultural achievements made by Qixia. From apple dishes and local cultures, to traditional drama performances, a series of events have been organized to present the stories of Qixia and its well-known apple industry.

A bird-eye view of the opening ceremony of the 21st Apple Arts Festival in Qixia. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

This year's celebration features a wide range of events that aim to provide the joy of autumnal harvest to its local residents. This enhances the promotion of local apples, and establishes new ties in economy and trade cooperation and cultural tourism exchanges.

During the opening ceremony, two mascots, a red and a yellow apple, were unveiled. The red apple represents wishes for prosperity, and the yellow apple symbolizes the best of Qixia apples: their crisp sweetness, with a hint of sourness.

This year's festival and its previous warm-up activities features Qixia's creative apple products and cultures. These activities included Chinese writers visiting Qixia, online celebrities livestreaming in Qixia, and local craftsmanship exhibitions.

This cultural highlight is expected to further consolidate Qixia's reputation as a hub for apples.

A bunch of full-grown apples in an orchard in Qixia. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Situated in the Jiaodong Peninsula, Qixia's premium apples are thanks to its natural climate conditions. Today, apples in Qixia have entered over 60 countries and regions, and over 80 percent of the city's local population is involved in the thriving apple industry.

The strong development of the city's apple industry has long backed its cultural development. 

A type of apple cultivated in Qixia is displayed at the 21st Apple Arts Festival on Oct 26. [Photo by Cao Jiayue/provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

In the long run, the city aims to further boost its high-quality apple industry development, while also continuing to promote its apple brands.