5th Tomato Tasting Season kicks off in Beijing’s Pinggu district

The 5th Donggaocun Town Tomato Tasting Season kicked off in northeastern Beijing’s Pinggu district on April 24, simultaneously unveiling multiple themed short-distance spring travel routes. The event invited visitors to enjoy spring outings and peach blossoms while immersing themselves in pastoral fun and rural leisure.

Tomatoes from Donggaocun town, Pinggu district. [photo provided to China.org.cn]

Located on the southern bank of the Ju River – known as the “mother river” of Pinggu, Donggaocun town serves as a key transport hub at the intersection of Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei province.

The tasting season will run through July, featuring an experiential leisure circuit that integrates “u-pick harvesting, music and cultural creativity. The initiative aims to enrich recreational offerings and boost comprehensive consumption benefits from rural tourism.

Leveraging its 22,000 mu (approx. 1,467 hectares) of forest and farmland resources, Donggaocun is building itself into a modern agricultural development zone and is known as the “No. 1 Vegetable Town in East Beijing.” At present, green and organic agricultural products including tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce, and strawberries are available year-round. The town has successfully fostered signature produce brands such as Cuijiazhuang tomatoes and Zhaojiawu scallions.

Tomato flavor competition in Donggaocun town, Pinggu district. [photo provided to China.org.cn]

This year’s event also featured a tomato flavor competition, bringing together 21 skilled tomato growers from across the town. Agricultural experts and public judges evaluated entries based on appearance, texture, sweet-sour flavor balance, and juice content. Winners were selected for first, second, and third prizes.

Since the town began tomato cultivation in 2002, it has continuously introduced premium varieties while adhering to organic farming practices. The resulting tomatoes are known for their superior quality, authentic flavor, sandy flesh, and juiciness, making them a favorite among consumers.