"Aside from bringing villagers income, apple trees have played an effective role in conserving water and soil, preventing a large amount of sediment from flowing away," he said.

The total area of apple trees planted for Pisha sandstone treatment in Juungar has reached about 2,000 hectares, according to the local government. Siberian apricot and sea buckthorn have also been planted in the banner to help treat the soft rock, with 60,000 hectares and 62,000 hectares planted, respectively.

Another measure that has been promoted in the banner to prevent water loss and soil erosion is to build check dams. As a result, Juungar has been able to treat about 62 percent of its Pisha sandstone.

Li Zonghui, who runs two heating-supply companies in Dalad Banner, also in Inner Mongolia, used to purchase apples from Luochuan, a major apple-producing county in Shaanxi province, as holiday gifts for his employees.

After hearing from his friends about the high-quality apples produced in Deshengyouliang, the 58-year-old chose to buy 500,000 yuan of them from the village this year.

"They are juicy and sweet, with a delightful taste," he said.

The businessman said he intends to launch a new venture in the village by building a refrigerated storage facility. This will enable him to store apples upon their harvest and sell them during the Spring Festival holiday, which this year runs from Jan 28 to Feb 4, when apple prices are significantly higher.

Hua has witnessed significant environmental and economic changes in his village, once considered one of the most impoverished areas in Juungar.

"Many villagers who moved to urban areas have chosen to come back... Because of apples, the village is getting richer and richer," he said.