Local apricots are beginning to hit the market in the eastern city of Qingdao, Shandong province this week, as the fruit blossoms in early April and ripens by mid to late June.

Apricots ripen in orchards in Qingdao's rural areas in mid-June. [Photo/qingdaonews.com]

Local apricots are popular for their fragrance, sweetness, and golden pulp. [Photo/qingdaonews.com]

A farmer picks apricots in an orchard in rural Qingdao, Shandong province. [Photo/qingdaonews.com]

Fresh-picked apricots will be sold at nearby markets. [Photo/qingdaonews.com]

Apricots are a rich source of vitamins, especially beta-carotene. [Photo/qingdaonews.com]