Spiky 'golden fruit' boosts prosperity in rural Guizhou

Early autumn in Xisha Village, Dejiang County – a rural spot in China's Guizhou Province – brings a vibrant sight: branches heavy with plump, golden fruit. They shine in the sun, and a light wind carries a sweet, fruity scent that fills the air. These are Rosa roxburghii, a unique fruit with the common name "chestnut rose" that are also often called "spiky pears" for their prickly skin.

Native to the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau, where Dejiang is located, these fruits are nutritional powerhouses. They're packed with vitamin C – way more than oranges – and other good stuff that help fight off damage to the body and keep the immune system strong.

In recent years, Dejiang has made the most of its perfect climate and geography to grow lots of these spiky fruits. It's turned into a big local business that's doing more than just making money: It's making the environment better, putting more cash in farmers' pockets and giving a big push to making rural areas thrive again.