Flower power proves big draw

Locals have cultivated pear orchards since the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), says Tang Yan, deputy head of the publicity department of Jinchuan's Party committee.

Jinchuan also hosts 137 ancient peach trees planted in the Ming and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties. The oldest is nearly 400 years old. Its trunk is far too thick for a single person to wrap their arms around.

It used to take three days to reach Jinchuan from Chengdu. But improved transportation has brought floods of tourists, who enjoy the oceans of pear blooms, in recent years.

The county staged its first pear-blossom festival in 2014. Over 200,000 people attended last year's celebration, says Wu Yonghong, head of the county's tourism bureau.