Xuwen county government is making the final preparations to kick off its inaugural China (Xuwen) Pineapple Culture & Tourism Festival on April 27.

Held in Zhanjiang, Guangdong province, the three-day festival will be the first of its kind in the country. According to officials, the festival is aimed at expanding international economic and trade exchanges and cooperation through the Internet Plus strategy. It is also hoped that the event will help to improve the county's international image.

Crowned as the hometown of pineapples in China, Xuwen county contains no less than 260,000 mu (17,333 hectares) of fields dedicated to growing the fruit. Its annual production of pineapples surpasses 400,000 metric tons a year.

The county's pineapple was listed among China's top 10 tropical fruits in 2010 by authorities in China, owing to its savory taste. Tinned pineapples produced in the county enjoy popularity in more than 40 countries and regions across the world.

The festival will provide colorful activities, including self-driving and picking-up tours, a bicycle-riding race through "the Sea of Pineapples" and a photo exhibition.

Pineapples in Xuwen county are ready to go in season around the Tomb Sweeping Festival every year. [Photo/yinsha.com]

The county's "Sea of Pineapples" is a popular tourist attraction and attracts a large number of visitors. [Photo/yinsha.com]