The travel guide for the flower sea in Northern Xinjiang mainly covers the best travel time, recommended attractions, and special activities.
Regarding the best travel time, spring arrives a bit later in Northern Xinjiang, and March to April is a good time to see apricot blossoms. Specifically, from late March to early April, you can visit巴尔鲁克山 (Balluke Mountain) in Yumin County, Tacheng Prefecture, to appreciate wild almond blossoms; from early to mid-April, Turgen Apricot Valley in Xinyuan County, Ili, ushers in its peak blooming season, with apricot blossoms covering the entire mountain, which is extremely spectacular; after mid-April, the grass on Nalati Grassland, Kalajun Grassland, and others begins to turn green, and the scenery becomes more and more beautiful.
In terms of recommended attractions, there are several places that cannot be missed:
Turgen Apricot Valley: Located in Turgen Township, Xinyuan County, Ili Kazak Autonomous Prefecture, it is an original wild apricot forest left over from the Middle Ages, covering an area of more than 30,000 mu. When the apricot flowers bloom, they contrast with the verdant grassland and distant snow-capped mountains, forming a picturesque scenery.
Nalati Grassland: One of the four major grasslands in the world, with the reputation of the ‘Aerial Grassland’. In spring, wild lilies push through the ice on the grassland, followed by various wildflowers blooming successively. The green grass, flocks of cattle and sheep, and distant snow-capped mountains shining under the sunshine create a breathtaking scene.
Sayram Lake: The highest and largest alpine lake in Xinjiang, known as the ‘Last Tear of the Atlantic’. The lake surface is as calm as a mirror, surrounded by mountains, offering a pleasant view.
In terms of special activities, you can experience the following:
At Turgen Apricot Valley, you can make a reservation with a herdsman’s horse team to go deep into the back mountains, rent out a wild apricot forest without tourists, wear Hanfu or white dresses for photos, and bring your own reflector for better effects.
At Sayram Lake, you can take a self-driving tour around the lake, enjoying the beautiful scenery of blue ice cracks on the lake surface framed by apricot blossoms on the shore. In addition, you can try wild luxury camping, Nalati Grassland whole roasted sheep dinner, and other exclusive experiences for mid-to-high-end travelers.
In addition, you can choose different tourist routes based on your time and preferences, such as the 11-day Northern Xinjiang Grassland Flower Sea Comprehensive Route
7-day Northern Xinjiang Circular Route: A dreamlike journey through flower seas and secret spots
Wait, to fully appreciate the charm of the flower sea in Northern Xinjiang.