A few tips for visiting cherry picking orchards

Surronding the WenChuan Overlook Viewing Platform with glorious views towards the WenChuan valley are numerous cherry orchards, dotted with cherry trees that are grown on narrow terraces against the steep slopes of the mountains. During summer when cherries are in season, each household will sell their produce at the front of the orchards along narrow roads that zigzagged across the mountain up to the Overlook Viewing Platform. The idea of dropping into the orchard to pick cherries is fun, and our driver picked an orchard that has great views but it came at a price for an urban dweller like me. Unused to rough steep dry, clayey slopes, I realised I couldn't quite make it down to the lowest terraces where the best cherries were. So unless you're comfortable with loose soils on steep slopes, try to pick an orchard that has meandering paths with gentler slopes. Late May is probably too early, and the cherries aren't the sweetest. It probably gets better in June. Still, a trip out to the Viewing Platform, followed by cherry picking is a lovely way to spend a day out from Chengdu. Allow at least half a day, as the mountains are quite a distance away from the city.