Xixi Red Persimmon Festival

There is a saying among Hangzhou locals that, along with the sweet scent of osmanthus, the red persimmon is a harbinger of autumn. The Xixi Red Persimmon Festival at Xixi National Wetland Park offers an opportunity to get up close and personal with autumn.

There are now more than 4,000 persimmon trees in Xixi, with the oldest over 300 years old and the youngest over 70.  There are three types of persimmon in Xixi, among which Huoshi (火柿) is the most delicious. However, Huoshi is not available in the market.  Hence, if you want the most authentic Huoshi, you have to go to Xixi. The popularity of persimmons in Xixi is not only related to their delicious taste but also to their connection with Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty (1711–1799). Legend has it that when Emperor Qianlong traveled to Hangzhou, trees laden with red persimmons captured his attention. Impressed by its wonderful taste, Emperor Qianlong bestowed the title “Shiqiannian (柿千年, which literally means the persimmon tree is over a thousand years old) on the eldest persimmon tree. Since then, persimmons have become one of the highlights of Xixi.

As the traditional festival of the Xixi Wetlands National Park, the Xixi Red Persimmon Festival involves many activities. You can pick persimmons under the instruction of professional persimmon farmers. Even better, the persimmons you pick can be taken home for free. In addition, you can watch Yue Opera and take part in many persimmon-themed events such as the Wheel of Fortune, the Guinness Record Piling up Persimmon, and the Persimmon Parade.

Time: mid-September to October

Venue: Xixi Wetland National Park