Xinjiang Apricot Blossom Viewing Travel Guide:
The apricot blossom season in Xinjiang is the most romantic flower sea feast in spring. Below is a detailed apricot blossom viewing guide to help you plan an unforgettable trip to Xinjiang.
I. Best Blossom Viewing Time
Turpan Basin: From mid-to-late March, flowers bloom here earliest to greet spring, known as ‘The First Spring of Xinjiang’.
Southern Xinjiang Pamir Plateau: In late March, the wild apricot blossoms in ancient villages such as Datong Township and Taer Township cluster together, with quaint customs intertwined with floral fragrances.
Yili River Valley: In mid-to-early April, the wild apricot blossoms in Tuergen Apricot Blossom Valley intertwine with pink and white hues, creating a dreamlike atmosphere; the apricot blossoms in Huocheng Daxigou bloom about a week later, equally dazzling.
II. Main Blossom Viewing Locations
Turpan Basin
A vast apricot grove spanning ten thousand acres, being surrounded by the sea of apricot blossoms is magnificent and breathtakingly beautiful.
Southern Xinjiang Pamir Plateau
Datong Township Apricot Blossom Village: Known as the ‘Idyllic Place – Apricot Blossom Village’, the quaint village is hidden among apricot blossoms.
Taer Township Apricot Blossom Village: Located at the foot of Kunlun Mountain, apricot blossoms flutter, and petals gently fall onto the stream, like a poetic scene from a Jiangnan (south of the Yangtze River) water town.
Yili River Valley
Tuergen Apricot Blossom Valley: With over 30,000 acres of primitive wild apricot forests left over from the Middle Ages, it is one of the largest and densest primitive wild fruit forests in Eurasia.
Huocheng Daxigou Apricot Blossoms: About 400 kilometers away from Tuergen, the blossom season is slightly later, but the brilliance is not inferior in any way.
III. Recommended Tour Routes
Southern Xinjiang Route
Depart from Kashgar and visit Kashgar Old Town to experience the rich Uyghur culture.
Head to Aoyitake Red Mountain, Baisha Lake, Karakul Lake, and other attractions.
Head to Taxkorgan County and Panlong Ancient Road to experience excitement and grandeur.
Head to Datong Township and Taer Township to admire apricot blossoms.
Yili Route
Arrive in Yining and visit attractions such as Yili River, Liuxing Street, and Hanren Street.
Head to Tuergen Apricot Blossom Valley and Daxigou to admire apricot blossoms.
You can combine attractions such as Sayram Lake, Nalati Grassland, and Dushanzi Grand Canyon to form a complete 8-day tour route.
IV. Precautions
Weather: In March and April in Xinjiang, the temperature difference between day and night is large, with daytime temperatures ranging from 10℃-20℃, and nights may drop to as low as 0℃-5℃. Remember to bring a windbreaker, a thin down jacket, as well as sunscreen, sunglasses, hats, and other sun protection items.
Tickets and fees: Some blossom viewing locations, such as Tuergen Apricot Blossom Valley, require the purchase of tickets and shuttle bus tickets, with moderate fees.
Transportation: Xinjiang has a vast territory, so it is recommended to rent a car or join a tour group to arrange your itinerary flexibly.
The apricot blossom season in Xinjiang is short but beautiful, and if you miss it, you’ll have to wait another year. I hope this guide can help you plan an unforgettable trip to Xinjiang to admire apricot blossoms!