Live Your Best Lives
At the westernmost tip of China, on the Pamir Plateau, with an average altitude of 4,000 meters, lives a tenacious ethnic group: the Tajiks. They are passionate yet not servile, elegant yet not vulgar; kind yet simple, and resilient despite their poverty.
In their struggle against the harsh elements of nature, they nurture generation after generation of life, like the apricot blossoms that bloom across the valleys of the Pamir Plateau, or like eagles soaring through the blue skies of the Pamirs. Every year in late March, the ancient apricot trees along the Tasha Trail in the Wakhan Corridor, along the Yarkand River, burst into bloom. This is Xinjiang's earliest spring, a pristine paradise.
Apricot blossoms, a member of the Rosaceae family, have single petals surrounded by a single layer of leaves. The flowers bloom before the leaves open, and the petals are white or slightly tinged with red. Apricots are highly adaptable to soil and terrain, and are often cultivated on hillside terraces and hilly land. Xinjiang boasts the largest area of apricot cultivation in my country, primarily in the Tianshan Mountains and the Pamir Plateau in southern Xinjiang.
The first episode of the first season of "Aerial China" hosted and filmed by CCTV broadcast the Xinghuagou in Yili, Xinjiang. I believe everyone who has seen it will be shocked!
And then there's the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. I'm sure many of you were stunned by director Zhang Yimou's opening ceremony! The opening "Twenty-Four Solar Terms" chart showcases some of the most stunning landscapes I've ever taken. The most captivating scene for me was undoubtedly the springtime beauty of Guyu (Grain Rain)—the apricot blossoms in Turgen, Ili, Xinjiang.
White horses in the west wind in the north, apricot blossoms in the misty rain in the south!
Xinjiang boasts the largest area of apricot tree cultivation in my country. Every early spring, following the March blooms of rapeseed and peach blossoms, we begin to spot the apricot blossoms on Xinjiang's Ili grasslands. Over 30,000 mu (approximately 1,000 hectares) of wild apricot trees, preserved from the Middle Ages, offer both majestic grandeur and a solitary charm. The apricot blossoms have graced the cover of China National Geography numerous times.
From afar, the pink wild apricot blossoms cover the mountains, dotting the landscape like pink cotton candy – a picture of paradise. This article focuses on the apricot blossoms of the Pamir Plateau.
"I asked where the tavern was, and the shepherd boy pointed to Xinghua Village in the distance."
The poet's few words have sparked debate over the title of "Apricot Blossom Village" in many places today. However, the apricot blossoms of the Pamir Plateau are undoubtedly the most deserving of this title. The Pamir Plateau is renowned for its cold, bleak, and desolate scenery. Yet, spring in Xinjiang begins here. Every year at the end of March, the long-dormant century-old apricot trees burst into bloom, transforming the nearly 300-kilometer-long Tashkurgan River Valley into a spectacular corridor of apricot blossoms.
Photo @China News Network
So where are these mysterious apricot blossom villages?
Apricot blossom villages are primarily located within the Kunlun Mountains, along the banks of the Tashkurgan and Yarkand rivers, flanking the famous Tasha Ancient Trail, part of the Xuanzang Road. The best places to view the apricot blossoms are in Kukoshiruk Township, Tal Township, Datong Township, and the villages below them. China-TravelNote was one of the first teams to visit these areas, and we're well-versed in the distribution and timing of the apricot blossoms in each village. I'd like to share two photos with you, showing that in the oasis carved by the Tashkurgan River, the Tajik people cultivate wheat and apricot blossoms. In spring, the pink of the green farmland and the blue of the river create a striking contrast to the stark mountains.
To reach Xinghuagou, you used to have to take an off-road vehicle because the roads were so bad. China-TravelNote's car's chassis was completely rubbed out when she visited the route five years ago. It was even harder than the washboard road up Mount Everest. Of course, the government has been working hard on road repairs in the past two years, and now a paved road has been built all the way to Datong Township. However, this has its pros and cons. Better roads mean more people visiting, but much of the authentic culture will be lost. Travel early!
Apricot blossoms on the Pamir Plateau bloom near water, blooming earlier in areas with lower altitudes and higher temperatures. The China-TravelNote photography team, through years of practice and research, has mastered the sequence of blooming and strategically planned a photoshoot. From Kashgar, we journeyed south, climbing the 3,754-meter Aigezida Pass and entering the Karakoram Mountains. Passing through Qiallong Township, we journeyed upstream along the Yarkand River to reach Xinghua Village in Datong Township.
Afterwards, we visited Datong Township, Tal Township, and Kukosiluk Township along the Yarkand River. There are many small villages under these townships that are suitable for photographing apricot blossoms, such as Xiaotong Village, Almalek Village, etc. We stopped and walked along the way to take pictures of the pink spring.
The in-depth filming lasts for four days and three nights, before finally crossing to Tashkurgan County and returning to Kashgar along the Karakoram Highway. Of course, if you can't handle the accommodations and bumpy ride in Xinghua Village, our in-depth tour will proceed from Tashkurgan County to Kukoshiluk Township for filming, staying one night before returning to Tashkurgan County. Different options are available to different guests.
The apricot blossoms on the Pamir Plateau usually bloom from late March to early April. In 2022, the apricot blossoms are expected to bloom as early as around March 20. Datong Township will be the first to bloom, followed by Tal Township, which is expected to open around the 25th, and finally Kukosiluk Township, which is expected to open at the end of March. The flowering period will last for about a week.
Datong Township, with the lowest altitude, blooms first, followed by Tal Township and finally Kukoshiluk Township. Apricot blossoms are relatively sparse in Datong Township, with most of the bloom concentrated in Tal and Kukoshiluk Townships. We will also spend more time in these two townships for accommodation and photography. Of course, the apricot blossom season is affected by temperature fluctuations, so the exact date cannot be determined with absolute certainty. If time permits, we recommend traveling to Kashgar in late March and then entering the Pamir Plateau based on the blooming conditions.
The Pamir Plateau not only has stunning apricot blossoms, but is also home to a group of simple ethnic minorities - the Tajiks.
The Tajiks are China's only native Caucasian ethnic group (Russians and Tatars are also Caucasian, but are immigrants). They are of Caucasian descent, and both sexes are remarkably attractive. They speak a dialect of the East Iranian branch of the Indo-European language family and practice Shia Islam, remaining relatively secular. The Tajiks are known for their simple customs and patriotism, possessing a strong sense of identity and belonging to China, a sentiment passed down through generations. Since the Qing Dynasty, they have served the country on the border without compensation. The film "The Visitor on the Iceberg" tells the story of Tajik border guards, led by soldier Amir, as they battle wits and courage against separatist forces abroad.
Tajik weddings last three days, a lively and grand occasion. They are not only a celebration for the newlyweds, but also for their two families, and even their two villages. The first day is the preparation day, during which both parties meticulously dress and decorate their homes. The second day is the climax of the wedding—the wedding reception day. Accompanied by relatives and friends, the groom travels in a grand procession to the bride's home to welcome her. Following the successful reception, entertainment activities unique to the plateau, such as horse racing and sheep-grabbing, begin. Young men and women, skilled in singing and dancing, play hawk flutes and hand drums, creating a lively atmosphere. The third day is the return journey, when the groom carries his bride home on horseback. Upon arrival, the groom's family and friends sing and dance, celebrating until midnight.
Sheep-stealing is a highly valued traditional sport practiced by many grassland ethnic groups. Typically, two teams on horseback compete for a sheep, with the winner being the one who lands it at a fixed point. However, yak-stealing is a tradition unique to the Tajik people. Deep in the Pamir Plateau, the Tajiks have a long history of yak farming. The yaks' adorable and simple appearance adds a touch of fun to this custom.
The Tajiks revere the eagle, viewing it as a powerful and heroic being. Folk songs and legends about the eagle are widespread, and even the origins of a dance are tied to the eagle's habits and movements, giving rise to the "Eagle Dance." An essential instrument in this dance is the eagle flute. Made from eagle wing bones, the eagle flute is a typical Tajik instrument. While the technique for playing it is challenging to master, the resulting tones are unique and beautiful.
Many people have heard "Why Are the Flowers So Red?", but perhaps they don't know it's actually a theme song from the film "The Visitor on the Iceberg" and a classic Tajik folk song. Furthermore, "Why Are the Flowers So Red" is adapted from another Tajik folk song, "Gulibita." The lyrics are incredibly well-written, a perfect example of how a man might approach a woman.
Xiaogong Bahar Festival: "Xiaogong Bahar" means "welcoming spring" in Tajik. Xiaogong Bahar Festival is the most important festival of the year for the Tajik people, equivalent to the Tajik Spring Festival. The spring thaw on the Pamir Plateau is relatively late, and to ensure timely farming, ice breaking and water diversion are essential. However, breaking ice and diverting water is not a one-person undertaking. Xiaogong Bahar Festival is actually a celebration of the close cooperation among all members during production. There are no legends, no myths, and no religious overtones; it is simply about agricultural production and mutual encouragement.
If you have limited time, you can choose the China-TravelNote local tour route and explore the Pamir Plateau in depth!
The apricot blossoms of the Pamir Plateau are primarily found in the valleys, so capturing them doesn't require a particularly long focal length. A 24-70mm lens is generally optimal. If you're looking to capture authentic humanistic scenes, a 70-200mm lens will suffice. A prime lens with an 85mm focal length or higher is recommended; using a 35mm or 50mm focal length for capturing humanistic scenes is not recommended, as it's considered impolite. Drones are welcome; aerial photography isn't permitted in Datong Township, but it's not a problem in other villages.
The Karakoram Highway
, also known as the China-Pakistan Friendship Highway, is the only land route from China to Pakistan. It runs from Kashgar, China, through Tashkurgan County, the world's highest national border crossing, the Khunjerab Pass, connecting China and Pakistan for trade. It is a major economic route jointly built by China and Pakistan. However, due to an oversupply of tourists, the national border is now closed to visitors.
Panlong Ancient Road
On the Pamir Plateau, great workers built another road that crossed the natural barrier: the Panlong Ancient Road. The continuous hairpin turns make every experienced driver tremble, but it has also become a beautiful landscape.
Baisha
Lake is the first stop on the Pamir Plateau, situated over 2,000 meters above sea level. Silvery-white sand dunes stretch for more than a dozen kilometers, each with a metallic texture and sharp corners, their edges directly connected to the lake. The sand dunes and the blue lake, two magical natural landscapes, coexisting side by side, their uninterrupted presence awe-inspiring.
Karakul Lake + Muztagh Ata Peak
After passing Baisha Lake, continue on to Karakul Lake. Located at an altitude of 3,600 meters, this pristine alpine lake, fed by glacial meltwater, is a must-see on the way to Tashkurgan County and offers the best view of Muztagh Ata. On clear days, you can photograph its reflection.
Muztagh Ata, located at the border of Akto County and Tashkurgan Tajik Autonomous County in Xinjiang, stands at an altitude of 7,509 meters. Flanked by Kongur Peak and Kongur Jiubie Peak, these three peaks tower like pillars, towering over the beautiful Pamir Plateau and becoming its symbol and representative. The inverted glacier, like a silver beard fluttering from a chest, dominates the mountains, earning it the nickname "Father of Icebergs."
When you arrive in
Tashi County, you can't miss the sunrise at Jincaotan Wetland. Find a stretch of water in the wetland to get a nice reflection. Watch the sun gradually illuminate the Stone City and the snow-capped mountains in the distance, lighting up the entire Jincaotan Wetland.
Taheman Wetland
The meltwater from the Muztagh Ata Glacier nourishes the land of the Pamir Plateau. Among them, the Taheman Wetland is the most fertile plateau wetland, with herds of cattle and sheep, full of vitality.
The Pamir Plateau is still covered in snow in late March and early April. The coldest area is Tashkurgan County, at an altitude of around 3,100 meters, with an average temperature around freezing. Xinghua Village is at a lower altitude, with temperatures mostly ranging from 5 to 15 degrees Celsius. It's recommended to bring three or four items, including a jacket, a thin down or fleece jacket, and thermal underwear.
Currently, you can only fly to Kashgar and rent an SUV there. Note: it must be an SUV! The road conditions at Aigezi Daban Pass are currently very poor. Hiring a local pickup truck is not recommended; it's uncomfortable and you won't be able to move around freely.
Climate and clothing
The local climate and temperature have been detailed above. The main issue is the significant temperature swings between day and night. In March and April, you'll need to wear three to four layers of clothing and two pairs of pants. Furthermore, footwear is crucial for traveling in Xinjiang. While walking isn't a big deal, the temperature fluctuates greatly, so it's best to bring sneakers or outdoor shoes. Waterproof shoes are preferred, and comfortable shoes will make the journey much easier.
network
In most parts of Xinjiang, 4G mobile phone signals have become popular, and 3G signals can still be found in some parts of Xinghua Village.
jet lag
Xinjiang uses Beijing time, but Urumqi is located in the Eastern Time Zone (GMT+6), with a two-hour time difference from most mainland cities. Hotel check-in and check-out are typically at 2:00 PM. Lunch is around 2:00 PM, and dinner is around 8:00 PM. Some phones have an automatic time zone adjustment feature, so remember to disable it.
Consumer Price Index
Most of the consumption in Xinjiang is relatively normal, with an average meal costing about 20 to 40 yuan per person (mainly noodles and stir-fried dishes). The cost in or near scenic spots will be higher. Most people in Xinjiang do not use Alipay, but WeChat Pay is slightly more popular now. If you don't buy anything, it is recommended that you bring 50 yuan in cash per day.
Security Check
Xinjiang's security is arguably the strictest in the country. Whether you're visiting a hotel, supermarket, hospital, scenic spot, or any other public place, there will be security scanners and guards at the entrance. Please cooperate with these checks to avoid unnecessary inconvenience. Always carry your ID card with you! Don't leave it in your luggage.
Climb a small hill and gaze out over the vast expanse of snow-capped Tianshan Mountains in the distance, and the valley floor is lined with neatly arranged farmland. If you were to visit this spot, you'd surely exclaim: This is the most beautiful April day in the world!
