Farmers plant Xisha watermelons in Xingren Town of Shapotou District, Zhongwei City, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, April 6, 2026.
The Xisha watermelon is a watermelon variety cultivated on sandy earth covered with stone gravels. It is known for its large size, crisp and juicy flesh, as well as rich sweetness. The fruit is often hailed as the "green gem of the Gobi Desert" owing to its great economic value.
Zhongwei City, a major producer of Xisha watermelons, plans to plant 420,000 mu (28,000 hectares) of the watermelons this year. (Xinhua/Wang Peng)