Urban day-trippers can pick fresh, juicy strawberries from Jinshan's 11 agricultural centers, and sample original Jinshan cuisine and spring specialty snacks in a host of farmer bistros. Other highlights of the festival are a photography/short video contest open to both professionals and amateurs, a farmer's painting competition, a flower arranging contest, the debut of a horticultural documentary, various folk arts such as the dragon dance and farmers' songs, as well as displays of Jinshan's agricultural produces.

The flower festival ties in with the 2015 Shanghai International Flower Exhibition, whose Jinshan branch venue is in Luxiang. And to nurture the next generation of flower fans, children can learn about horticulture from botanists on hand during the festival.

Recommened tourism options

Cultural tour: Agricultural Tools Museum — Donglin Temple — Fengjing Ancient Town — Chinese Farmer Painting Village

The route includes Jinshan's signature cultural attractions and the roads that link the sites are lined with rapeseed or cherry, peach and pear trees.

Farming fun tour: Agricultural Tools Museum — Strawberry Research Center — Langxia Ecological Park — Zhonghua Village

Visitors can learn about historic agricultural tools, pick fresh strawberries at the research center, have fun playing traditional village games in the ecological park, go fishing in the river, and after all this exertion enjoy an authentic home-style dinner in Zhonghua Village.

Beach tour: Agricultural Tools Museum — City Beach — Jinshanzui Fishing Village

Visitors can enjoy the sea breeze, stroll around the small fishing village, and chow down on some delicious seafood.