A drone photo taken on July 20, 2025 shows farmers working in a Xisha watermelon field in Xiangshan Township of Shapotou District, Zhongwei City, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region.

The Xisha watermelon is a watermelon variety cultivated on calcareous soil 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, has recorded a planting area of 469,500 mu (31,300 hectares) this year, with an expected output of 1.15 million tonnes. (Xinhua/Wang Peng)

Farmers work in a Xisha watermelon field in Xingren Township of Shapotou District, Zhongwei City, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, July 20, 2025.

The Xisha watermelon is a watermelon variety cultivated on calcareous soil 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, has recorded a planting area of 469,500 mu (31,300 hectares) this year, with an expected output of 1.15 million tonnes. (Xinhua/Wang Peng)

Farmers pick and transport Xisha watermelons in Xingren Town of Shapotou District, Zhongwei City, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, July 20, 2025.

The Xisha watermelon is a watermelon variety cultivated on calcareous soil 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, has recorded a planting area of 469,500 mu (31,300 hectares) this year, with an expected output of 1.15 million tonnes. (Xinhua/Wang Peng)

An aerial drone photo taken on July 20, 2025 shows farmers working in a Xisha watermelon field in Xiangshan Township of Shapotou District, Zhongwei City, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region.

The Xisha watermelon is a watermelon variety cultivated on calcareous soil 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, has recorded a planting area of 469,500 mu (31,300 hectares) this year, with an expected output of 1.15 million tonnes. (Xinhua/Wang Peng)

Retailers load Xisha watermelons onto a truck in Xingren Town of Shapotou District, Zhongwei City, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, July 20, 2025.

The Xisha watermelon is a watermelon variety cultivated on calcareous soil 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, has recorded a planting area of 469,500 mu (31,300 hectares) this year, with an expected output of 1.15 million tonnes. (Xinhua/Wang Peng)

Farmers pick and transport Xisha watermelons in Xingren Town of Shapotou District, Zhongwei City, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, July 20, 2025.

The Xisha watermelon is a watermelon variety cultivated on calcareous soil 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, has recorded a planting area of 469,500 mu (31,300 hectares) this year, with an expected output of 1.15 million tonnes. (Xinhua/Wang Peng)

Farmers pick Xisha watermelons in Xingren Town of Shapotou District, Zhongwei City, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, July 20, 2025.

The Xisha watermelon is a watermelon variety cultivated on calcareous soil 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, has recorded a planting area of 469,500 mu (31,300 hectares) this year, with an expected output of 1.15 million tonnes. (Xinhua/Wang Peng)

Farmers work in a Xisha watermelon field in Xiangshan Village of Shapotou District, Zhongwei City, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, July 20, 2025.

The Xisha watermelon is a watermelon variety cultivated on calcareous soil 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, has recorded a planting area of 469,500 mu (31,300 hectares) this year, with an expected output of 1.15 million tonnes. (Xinhua/Wang Peng)