#Xinghua Ditch Travel Recommendations for 2024 (Updated in May)
Flower Fields
Address:
Xinyuan, Ili, Xinjiang, China
Opening times:
Reopens March 10, 2025Closed
Recommended sightseeing time:
0.5-1 day
Phone:
15299013322
Yili Turgene Apricot Valley—A place where fallen flowers express their passion, and the green grass is lush
For photographers, Xinjiang seems to always fit a popular internet phrase—
'Xinjiang is so vast, I want to go see it.'
Xinjiang has summer's flowers, autumn's trees, winter's snow, but what is there to see in the still-too-cold spring?
By April, the south of the Yangtze River has already passed the season of cherries and apricots, with slanting rain and gentle breezes, and the quiet fall of petals. Yet, at this time, Xinjiang has the extremely famous 'Apricot Valley'.
Located in the Turgene Township of Xinyuan County in Yili, the Apricot Valley is the largest remaining wild apricot forest from the 14th century, covering more than 30,000 acres, and is one of the areas in Xinjiang where wild apricot forests are relatively concentrated. By mid-April, the apricot blossoms on the sunlit slopes of Turgene Township are already budding and blooming.
Watching the 'live broadcast' of online selfies every day, timing the visit to attend this Xinjiang 'flower feast' punctually, only to encounter 'unexpected changes in the weather', a sudden spring rain.
A sigh, 'The forest flowers have withered away with the spring, all too hastily.'
Spring is both a grand feast of flowers and a time when the feast ends, leaving nothing but fallen petals. Time cycles through the blooming and falling of flowers, intoxicating a period of fleeting years.
The apricot trees on the slopes of the valley grow naturally, without any pattern, haphazardly clustered together. Following the Apricot Valley upwards, with the increase in altitude, the apricot blossoms gradually become sparse, until higher up there are only little red dots of buds waiting to bloom.
A wind and rain leave only a few white flowers on one or two branches of the apricot trees on the slopes of the valley, which the tourists treat as the remaining stars and photograph incessantly. Not content with not capturing this pink cloud, we went to several other mountain valleys in search of survivors after the storm, and in front of the house of an elderly Kazakh woman, I took my first photo of an apple tree full of flowers.
Rushed to Turgene to photograph the apricot blossoms only to find 'loneliness', but it turned out to be 'if one place doesn't shine, another will; lost a sesame seed, but found a big watermelon.' At this time in Yili, the slopes are green, the trees are lush, pleasing to the eyes, intoxicating the heart.
Wang Anshi's 'A stream wraps around the green fields, and two mountains form a gate to welcome the greenery.' It's as if paint has been splashed here, but only one color: green. The gentle slopes shaped like steamed buns, one beautiful curve after another. At this moment, I recall the recently popular dance 'Only This Green', who else but someone could unfold this 'Thousand Li of Rivers and Mountains' painting in the great beauty of Xinjiang.
'Mountains and waters as if dyed with ink
As though the cinnabar painting is still wet
The sky a deep indigo blue
The shimmering light like satin...'
R@1nb0w_Wh1sp3r3r
Come to Xinjiang in spring
This is truly not a fairy tale world🤩 2024 Xinjiang Apricot Blossom Season Guide||Apricot blossoms are not 🙅♀️exclusive to the south of the Yangtze River. In fact, the apricot blossoms in Xinjiang are also very beautiful.
Every early spring, the apricot blossoms 🤩 on both sides of the Tianshan Mountains in Xinjiang bloom in succession.
On the slopes, in the valleys, under the snow-capped mountains, in the solitary villages, beside the cattle and sheep,
The apricot blossoms 🌸 bloom majestically everywhere, interpreting the spring colors of Xinjiang in an exaggerated, bold, yet just right manner.
Spring Apricot Blossom 4️⃣ Top Viewing Spots & Times
🔹 Along the Datong Township in the Pamir Plateau
📆 Best viewing period: From late March to early April
🎫 Ticket: Free
Coming here is like entering a paradise.
Centuries-old apricot trees cover the sky, and cloud-like blossoms proudly bloom on the branches.
The white and pink apricot blossoms, set against the distant snow-capped mountains and the tall dark mountains, resemble a fine watercolor painting.
🔹 Turgen in Xinyuan County, Ili Region
📆 Best viewing period: From early to mid-April
🎫 Ticket: Turgen Apricot Blossom Valley ticket 30 yuan/person; Kuerdening scenic area ticket 60 yuan
The entire Ili River Valley can be called a huge 'Apricot Blossom Valley'.
Among them, Turgen Apricot Blossom Valley is the largest primitive wild apricot forest left from the Middle Ages.
Stretching for more than ten kilometers, the pink and white apricot blossoms decorate each mountain top and ridge.
In addition to wild apricot trees, there are also about 60 other types of wild fruit trees in Daxigou.
Generally speaking, after the wild apricot blossoms in Daxigou bloom, wild sour plum blossoms, wild hawthorn blossoms, and wild apple blossoms follow closely behind.
One type blooms after another, and sometimes they bloom together, with the entire blooming period lasting for more than a month.
In the early spring of Xinjiang, the apricot blossoms of Turpan are considered the first spring of Xinjiang.
With the arrival of spring, the apricot blossoms in Toksun County bloom as expected, and the scenery is extremely beautiful.
The apricot blossoms are like gauze and dreams, like fog bathing in the spring sunshine, adorning the majestic mountains.
collinsthehollins
I declare!! The apricot blossoms in Yili, Xinjiang are more beautiful than the cherry blossoms in Japan
"Where is the tavern? Ask the cowherd boy," he points to the Apricot Blossom Village."
In many people's impression, apricot trees🌳 seem to be closer to the fish and rice region of Jiangnan, perhaps in the eyes of the world, apricot trees are a kind of "delicate" tree species, only growing in mild regions. Little do they know, Northwest China is one of the centers of apricot origin, and this land of the Western Regions has been covered with apricot forests for a thousand years🌳
Apricot trees in Xinjiang🌳: cold-resistant, wind-resistant, drought-resistant, extremely adaptable, and grow freely and unrestrained.
Spring in Xinjiang is the season of apricot blossoms everywhere🌸.
Where can you see apricot blossoms
👉The apricot blossoms in Xinjiang are mainly distributed in the following places (the flowering period varies from place to place):
Turpan's Toksun County (mid to late March) Toksun County is the earliest place in Xinjiang where spring arrives and apricot blossoms bloom.
Along the Datong Township of the Pamir Plateau (late March) Nearly 300 kilometers long, the ancient Tashkurgan River has formed a spectacular long corridor of apricot blossoms🛤.
Xinyuan County's Turgan in the Ili region (early to late April) A vast primitive wild apricot forest dating back to the 14th century🌳.
Huocheng's Daxigou wild fruit forest (mid to late April) The apricot blossoms here bloom on the ridges, adding a sense of layering. Grassland Wild Apricot Blossoms (late April to early May) Every year in late April
The wild apricot blossoms on the slopes of the Nalati Grassland gradually bloom.
The most important factor affecting the flowering period of apricot blossoms is temperature. Generally speaking, the lower the temperature, the later the flowers bloom.
When the pink and white apricot blossoms envelop this land of Xinjiang, no matter who it is, coming to Xinjiang during the apricot blossom season can experience the most romantic spring
BoundlessExplorer
April in Yili is like heaven on earth, with flowers blooming along the way
The verdant grasslands stretch out, with the continuous snow-capped mountains
The azure lakes, the blossoming flowers
Spring in Yili comes with its unique charm
The green grasslands and the little yellow flowers everywhere are very beautiful
The healing prairie
Run freely on the vast grasslands
Go see the different blue of Sayram Lake
And the pink romance of the apricot blossom valley in Yili Turgen
Xinjiang Yili Turgen Apricot Blossom Valley
🌸Flowering forecast:
Start of flowering period: March 28th to 30th
Peak flowering period: March 31st to April 3rd!
Daxigou: Blooms the latest, in late April
Turgen's tens of thousands of acres of wild apricot forests are spectacular and magnificent, and any spot can capture the atmosphere you want!
Let's take a look at two apricot blossom viewing spots!
1⃣Turgen Apricot Blossom Valley🌸
📍Location: Turgen Township, Xinyuan County, Yili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture
🎟Ticket: 30 yuan/person
This is a primitive wild apricot forest left from the Middle Ages, covering more than 30,000 acres. They grow freely according to their own will, so every place can present a different beauty. Whether it's before sunrise, during sunrise, before sunset, or at sunset, each will be a different scene! 😍
2⃣Huocheng Daxigou Apricot Blossom Valley🌸
📍Location: Inside Daxigou Township, Huocheng County
🎫Ticket: 40 yuan/person
The wild apricot forest of Daxigou Township and the apricot blossom valley of Turgen Township can be considered sister valleys. Daxigou opens later, so you can start by taking photos of the wild apricot blossoms in Turgen Township, and then go to Daxigou Township for more shots. Moreover, in Huocheng Daxigou, you can also see wild apricot flowers, wild cherry blossoms, wild plum blossoms, wild sour plum blossoms, wild hawthorn flowers, and wild apple blossoms, with this series of flowering periods lasting for more than a month~🌺
📸Photo taking suggestions:
1-2 hours after sunrise, and 1 hour before sunset
Because the sunlight will make the apricot blossoms even more beautiful and moving, don't miss it!
🔥Surrounding attractions that are stunningly beautiful🔥
✔Sailimu Lake: In spring, the lake water is as clear as a gem💎, surrounded by snow-capped mountains and wildflowers
✔Guozigou Bridge: Known as 'Yili's No.1 Scenery', the bridge in the canyon is particularly stunning
✔Nalati: An alpine prairie over 1600 meters above sea level, where you can ride horses across the grasslands🖼
✔Kazanqi: Stroll through the small town and feel the blue romantic aesthetics🦋
⚠Travel tips⚠
1. There is a large temperature difference between day and night (up to 15 degrees), so it is recommended to bring long sleeves and a jacket
2. Remember to check the weather forecast before setting out each day, and be prepared for rain
3. The signal will be weaker after entering the mountains, so it is advisable to prepare some cash💰
Avery Hall
April's Apricot Blossom Valley gathers all the flowers of Xinjiang in one place
🌸 The Apricot Blossom Valley is located in Turgan Township, Xinyuan County, Yili, Xinjiang
This is a huge primitive wild apricot forest left from the 14th century
Covering more than 30,000 acres.
Every spring, when the apricot blossoms bloom, it's like a surging tide
The oncoming waves of pink and white flowers cover the sky and earth
All the flowers of spring seem to be gathered in this valley.🚞
🌸 Blossom Period 🌸
1⃣️ The blooming period of apricot flowers is very short, lasting only about ten days without sudden weather changes under clear and sunny conditions
2⃣️ The best viewing period is usually from the end of March to the beginning of April, better early than late
✈️ How to Get There
1⃣️ It is recommended to fly directly from Urumqi to Nalati, which is less than an hour's drive from Turgan Township, and there is a shuttle bus to the Apricot Blossom Valley from the airport
2⃣️ Alternatively, fly directly from Urumqi or take a train or bus to Yining City and rent a car from Yining Airport to drive to Turgan Township, a 4-hour one-way trip
The Apricot Blossom Valley scenic area has only about ten days of peak tourist season each year
Take a heart ready for a picnic
And have the most romantic flower-treading picnic deep in the sea of flowers~
JEFFERSON LEONARD
The Poetic Essence of Wild Apricot Blossoms: A Journey to Xinjiang's Apricot Blossom Valley
As March ends and April begins, the wild apricot blossoms in the Ili River Valley bloom like clouds and dreams, covering the mountains and fields with flowers🌸. This sea of flowers, blanketed by wild apricot blossoms, is like a fairyland, attracting tourists from all directions. They embark on a journey just to witness this breathtaking scenery!
The blooming period of wild apricot flowers is short and precious, and missing it means losing it. Some people greet the morning light with buds ready to bloom, while others encounter a scene of falling petals at sunset. Therefore, each bloom is exceptionally precious✨. Due to temperature changes, the blooming period of the apricot flowers also varies slightly each year.
Deep in the Ili River Valley lies such an apricot blossom paradise, with vast flower seas that seem like pink clouds drifting down from the sky. Being there is like walking in an ocean of flowers, bathing in the fragrant breeze, making one feel as if they have stepped into a dreamy world🌺.
For photographers, the season of apricot blossoms is their paradise. They weave through the sea of flowers, capturing the myriad forms of apricot blossoms: some are tender and dripping with beauty, some are budding, some cluster together, and some stand alone in their elegance. Each piece is a hymn to the beauty of nature and an awe of the miracle of life📸.
Through their lenses, photographic artists hope to convey a reverence for nature and a passion for life. Their works not only showcase the beauty of apricot blossoms but also contain a call for environmental protection and contemplation of the value of life.
Visiting Apricot Blossom Valley is not just a pursuit of natural beauty but also a deep experience of Xinjiang's local customs🌄. Along the journey, the beautiful landscapes are refreshing to the soul, and in Apricot Blossom Valley, visitors can also try local specialties, feel the unique folk culture of Xinjiang, interact closely with locals, and experience a different philosophy of life and worldview.
HARPER POOLE
More beautiful than Japanese cherry blossoms! Featured on 'China National Geographic' for its stunning beauty
During March and April, as we enjoy the warmth of spring, the Ili River Valley enters its most romantic season. Here, apricot blossoms blanket the hills, and horses graze leisurely, creating a beautiful paradise on earth, known as the most beautiful April days in the world~
The vast apricot blossom forests in Turgene cover tens of thousands of acres, presenting a spectacular and majestic sea of flowers. Its frequent features in 'China National Geographic' are a testament to the breathtaking beauty of its spring.
Best viewing times:
Turgene Apricot Valley: Early to mid-April
Daxigou: Blooms later, around late April
The apricot blossom season is incredibly short, lasting less than a month. Miss it, and you'll have to wait until next year!
Let's take a look at two apricot blossom viewing spots!
Turgene Apricot Valley:
Location: Turgene Township, Xinyuan County, Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang
Admission: 30 RMB
Introduction: The Ili Apricot Valley is a vast primitive wild apricot forest dating back to the 14th century, concentrated on the north bank of the Gongnaisi River, covering over 30,000 acres. In mid-April, the apricot blossoms on the sunlit slopes of Turgene Township begin to bud and bloom. Visitors gather in Ili Apricot Valley to enjoy the blossoms and the spring, and indeed, the Ili apricot blossoms are peerlessly enchanting.
Lingcheng Daxigou Jiehua Valley
Location: Inside Daxigou Township, Huocheng County
Ticket: 40 RMB per person
The wild apricot forest in Daxigou Township and Turgene's Apricot Valley are like sister valleys. Daxigou opens later, allowing you to first photograph the wild apricot blossoms in Turgene Township, followed by Daxigou. Moreover, in Huocheng Daxigou, you can also see wild cherry blossoms, wild plum blossoms, wild sour plum blossoms, wild hawthorn blossoms, and wild apple blossoms, with the blooming period lasting over a month~
Precautions:
Xinjiang's ultraviolet rays are strong all year round, so bring sun protection
It's possible for Xinjiang to have snow in early April, so be sure to bring warm clothes
The Ili region has more rainy weather in April, so prepare an umbrella
Turgene Apricot Valley is 200 kilometers from Yining City, 30 kilometers from Xinyuan County, and 30 kilometers from Turgene Township. It is recommended for first-time visitors to Xinjiang to join a small group tour
Nearby attractions that are incredibly beautiful
√ Sailimu Lake: The lake is as clear as a gem in spring
√ Guozigou Bridge: The bridge of life across a natural moat
√ Narat: One of China's four most beautiful grasslands
√ Kanas: Stroll through the small town and experience the blue romantic aesthetics
Flower viewing route:
Day 1: Arrival at Urumqi by plane/train - Free time - Check into hotel
Day 2: Urumqi - Sailimu Lake - Guozigou Bridge - Qingshui River
Day 3: Qingshui River - Zhonghua Fushoushan Apricot Blossom - Kanas - Yining City
Day 4: Yining City - Swan Spring - Narat Ice Lily - Narat
Day 5: Narat - Turgene Apricot Blossom - Yining City
Day 6: Yining City - Duzishan Grand Canyon - Urumqi
Day 7: Departure from Urumqi by plane/train
EscapeToTranquility
Xinjiang is too cold in winter, you can wait for the spring in Yili
If you think Xinjiang is too cold in winter, you can wait for the spring in Yili🍃
Xinjiang is a place where you can't find a substitute for beautiful scenery. Looking at the spring in China🌸, it's hard to find such a place where snow mountains, lakes, deserts, forests, and grasslands can coexist~ There are flowers and grass, romance and poetry, it's really hard not to like it💗
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📝Travel tips
✏️Bring a storm jacket or thin down jacket in your luggage, the temperature difference in spring is quite large
✏️The apricot blossom period is only more than half a month, friends who want to go to see the flowers must book in advance
✏️The journey between scenic spots is long, it is recommended to find a local regular travel agency to join a small group, it is fun and not alone
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❗Note: Please do not arbitrarily pick and break flowers when you are watching, and do not litter♻️
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🌺Flower viewing period
The flowering period of apricot flowers is roughly from March to April every year. If the weather is windy and rainy, the flowers will wither faster. Sisters who are coming should arrange their time
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⭕Seven-day spring viewing route
💐D0: Urumqi pick-up/ pick-up station - check in hotel
💐D1: Urumqi - S101 National Defense Highway (Danxia landform, small Duku) - Dushanzi Grand Canyon
💐D2: Jinghe - Sailimu Lake (around blue tears, looking for wild swans) - Fushou Mountain apricot flowers (mountain apricot wild fruit trees)
💐D3: Yining - Kazanqi Folk Village (net red blue house, six-star street) - Aketas grassland - Tekes Bagua City (city without traffic lights)
💐D4: Tekes - Qiaxi Forest Park (Twilight Forest, Hundred Miles Picture Scroll)
💐D5: Gongliu - Tugergen Apricot Flower Gully (deep into the secret, flower valley) - Narati Aerial Grassland (into the forest, spruce, stream, village🏠)
💐D6: Narati - Gongnaisi Daban (viewing forest canyon landform)
💐D7: Tuokexun - Salt Lake Scenic Area - Dabancheng Windmill - Urumqi Disband
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🌈Essence Scenery
🐾Apricot Flower Gully: The original wild apricot forest left over from the Middle Ages, covering more than 30,000 acres, blooming wildly on the sloping hillside
🐾Grassland: It is divided into grassland and valley, here you can feel horse riding, running in the boundless grassland in beautiful clothes, this is the feeling of freedom
🐾Lake: The distant snow mountain, the swans playing on the lake, the lake water with some broken ice after melting is blown up by the wind
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☀️Unique experience in spring
🌱Riding a horse on the vast grassland
🌱Set up a sky tent for a leisurely afternoon tea
🌱You can camp on the grassland and in the forest
🌱Enjoy the song and dance performance of Uighur girls
GraceBeaumont57
Ili Apricot Blossom | Its charming and stunning beauty has amazed this April!
In this earthly April, take a walk in the apricot blossom rain, apricot blossoms fall on your long hair, on your cheeks, washing away the dust on you, making your soul become clear, perhaps, this is why I love apricot blossoms so much.
This is a primitive wild apricot forest left from the Middle Ages, covering more than 30,000 acres, without human construction, all growing freely according to their own wishes.
The charm of the Apricot Blossom Gully lies in its ability to present different beauties with the flow of sunlight. Even standing in the same place, before sunrise, during sunrise, before sunset, and at sunset, there will be different scenes.
✅Recommended Ili Apricot Blossom Viewing Spots:
🌸Tulugou Apricot Blossom Valley Apricot Blossom Gully:
Ticket🚪: Apricot Blossom Gully ticket 30 yuan, scenic area shuttle bus 10 yuan
Sunrise and sunset are very sunny on the hillside, light and shadow, pink and green, incredibly dreamy~
🌸Huocheng Daxigou Daxigou Scenic Area:
Ticket🚪: Scenic area ticket + shuttle bus 50 yuan
There are many types of flowers here, not just apricot blossoms. Apples, plums, hawthorns, etc. will bloom in spring, which is very special
✅Ili Apricot Blossom💐Blossom Period:
The best viewing period is in April, and the flowering period is about a week. The specific time each year will change according to the flowering period.
Every time the flowers bloom, in the green grassy valley, the wild apricot blossoms all over the mountains sway with the breeze, setting off a "apricot blossom rain", which is poetic and picturesque.
GlobeTrotterDiaries
Tulugou Apricot Blossom Gorge | A timeless exclusive romance
| A timeless exclusive romance. On the north bank of the Gongnaisi River, there are more than 30,000 acres of original wild apricot forests. The valley here blocks the cold air from the northwest and welcomes the warm sunshine from the southeast, creating a moist and mild climate here. Under the unique natural environment, this wild apricot forest has survived from the 14th century AD to the present.
Curious about this gift of time, looking forward to the grand scene of apricot blossoms blooming all over the mountains, so I came.
At the beginning, seeing the valley full of black branches, I was a little disappointed. Climbing up the valley, when I reached the middle of the valley, a group of enthusiastic Kazakh sisters were singing and dancing, the loud and clear singing and graceful dance infected everyone on the scene, and my mood became cheerful.
After climbing to the top of the valley, looking far away, at the foot of the continuous mountains, a wisp of cooking smoke slowly rose in the crisscrossing fields, and my mood became clear and open.
Then, following the route of the horse team, I explored the Apricot Blossom Gorge deeply. After crossing one valley after another, I finally saw the blooming apricot blossoms. Although they were not in groups, they were enough to soothe the fatigue of climbing.
Unconsciously, the sun began to set, and the whole valley became particularly soft. Under the warm sunset, the originally white apricot blossoms became tender, the green edge of the valley added a touch of warm yellow, I saw the romance of flowers blooming like brocade. In the magic of light and shadow, a "human grassland" was formed in the gully.
The originally somewhat lost mood has now been filled with surprises.
📍Location: Turgun Township, Xinyuan County, Yili, Xinjiang
💰Ticket: 30 yuan/person
⏰Opening hours: all day
⏳Playing time: about half a day
🗺Play method: hiking/horse riding. There is a plank road when you first enter the scenic area, you can go up the mountain along the plank road. Except for this plank road, the rest are dirt roads, mostly horse trails.
【Suggestion】
🌟There are ethnic costumes for rent and photo taking in the middle of the valley
🌟There will be more ups and downs, the slope is steep, it is recommended to wear comfortable clothes and shoes
🌟There is basically no shade, remember to do sun protection, wear a hat
🌟There is a food square at the entrance of the scenic area, and there is no catering behind, it is recommended to bring your own food and water
🌟Drones can only fly outside the operating hours of the scenic area helicopter, otherwise they may be confiscated
🌟The blooming time of apricot blossoms is generally in mid-to-late April, the specific time will vary depending on the climate and weather conditions, and it will be better to take pictures of apricot blossoms at sunrise and sunset