Tuqiaozi's fruit-laden courtyards, lanes attract visitors and boost local economy

Women dressed in traditional Tibetan outfits pick grapes in Tuqiaozi village, Zhouqu county, Gansu province. [Photo provided to CHINA DAILY]

In Tuqiaozi village, grapevines are not constrained to the edge of the vineyard. They climb courtyard walls and trees, stretch across village lanes and form a leafy corridor above visitors' heads.

The unusual landscape in Zhouqu county, Gannan Tibetan autonomous prefecture, Gansu province, traces its roots to a single grape seedling brought home from the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region nearly seven decades ago. Today, grapes grown around villagers' homes and along roads have become a source of income for families and an attraction in their own right.

The grape-cultivation tradition began in 1957, when villager Yuan Ermang returned from working in Xinjiang with a grape seedling and planted it in his courtyard. Neighbors later propagated vines from cuttings, and over the following decades, grapevines gradually spread from one household to another. Tuqiaozi's relatively mild climate provided favorable conditions for the crop to flourish.

By the 1990s, grapevines had become a common sight in courtyards and along village lanes. Rather than taking up large areas of farmland, villagers made use of idle spaces around their homes and roads, often allowing vines to climb existing trees instead of building separate trellises.

The practice not only conserved land and costs but also gradually created the grape-covered landscape that now distinguishes the village.

For villager Ning Longlu, that transformation began at home. His family began growing grapes in 1996, initially with just one variety for their own consumption. Today they cultivate grapes on an area covering 1,300 square meters, including land around their home, earning about 30,000 yuan ($4,463) a year from the crop.

"When we first started, we only grew one variety, mainly for ourselves," Ning said. "Later, the number of varieties and the planting area gradually increased. People saw that growing grapes could bring in an income, so more families started planting them."

Ning's family now grows about eight varieties, including Kyoho, Shine Muscat and blueberry grapes. The vines produce more than 3,000 kilograms of grapes a year. About two-thirds are sold fresh, while the rest go toward homemade wine, which the family drinks, sells or gifts to relatives and friends.

During the harvest season, some villagers set up stalls at the village entrance, while visitors from nearby counties and cities come to buy the grapes.

"Our grapes are becoming increasingly popular in the surrounding areas," Ning said. "People come here on weekends or holidays to visit the village and buy some grapes."

The changes in Ning's family reflect the broader development of Tuqiaozi's grape industry. What was once a few vines grown around homes for household consumption has gradually become a major source of income for local families.

The village now has around 20 hectares of land under grape cultivation with over a dozen quality varieties grown.

Six cooperatives run by villagers are involved in grape seedling cultivation, standardized planting, as well as fresh-fruit sales and wine processing.

"We still make wine the traditional way, letting it ferment naturally without adding sugar or blending," said villager Yuan Xuezhong. "It takes time, but the result is a clear, smooth wine with a pure fruity aroma. Almost every household makes a few jars for their own use. People really like this homemade taste."

Grapes have also given tourism a boost. An 800-meter-long grapevine corridor shades the village lanes, drawing visitors during the harvest season to pick and taste grapes, enjoy local food and take home fresh fruit and homemade wine. Some families have opened farm restaurants and homestays, turning a grape-picking trip into a full rural experience.

"The grape industry connects planting, picking, processing and tourism," said Yao Weijuan, Party secretary of the village's professional management branch. "It allows more people to benefit from the development of the industry."

Tuqiaozi is home to 538 residents from 123 households. In 2025, the village produced about 150 metric tons of grapes, with the industry helping boost household incomes by more than 10,000 yuan on average.

Local authorities have supported the industry with technical guidance, new varieties and improved cultivation methods, helping farmers improve grape quality and yields. From a few vines in household courtyards to a thriving industry, grapes have transformed not just Tuqiaozi's scenery but the lives of its residents.