A toddler tries to hold up a bundle of green Chinese onions planted in Zhangqiu, a district of Jinan, in East China's Shandong province. [Photo/english.jinan.gov.cn]

Spring onions planted in Zhangqiu are famous for being tall, crisp and sweet. The district has nearly 80 square kilometers of land where farmers grow spring onions, with an annual yield of 600,000 tons and an annual output value of nearly 1.2 billion yuan ($189.41 million), according to the district government.

According to local government, spring onion planting first appeared in Zhangqiu district in 680 BC. The Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), which made Zhangqiu the home of spring onions.

Behind the success of the Zhangqiu spring onions is a suitable planting environment, technological innovation, and brand building.

The green spring onion is primarily grown in Zhangqiu district's central plains area, which has fertile soil and gushing springs. The sunshine lasts for a long time and is plentiful, which is an ideal environment for spring onions. 

Every year in early winter, during spring onion harvest season, Zhangqiu district has cultural and tourism events to promote its spring onions. Farmers are given awards such as best grower and best seller of spring onions in order to inspire them and increase the influence of the Zhangqiu spring onions.