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Spring rains bring warmth. March is here, and the willow trees are sprouting new buds. My friends, spring is about to arrive! The annual flower viewing event has also begun.
Source @China News Network
"The rain of apricot blossoms is about to wet my clothes", "The wind and rain wash all the flowers in the city"
In the south of the Yangtze River, the period from Qingming to Guyu was called the "apricot blossom season" by ancient literati.
In many people's impressions, apricot blossoms are a symbol of "Jiangnan", but in fact apricot blossoms are particularly adaptable.
It is cold-resistant, drought-resistant and barren-resistant, and is not afraid of temperatures as low as -30℃ or as high as 40℃. Apricot blossoms can be found on hillsides and in gullies, at altitudes of 3,000 meters.
For example, Xinjiang is home to the largest and most concentrated original wild apricot forest in the country and even the world. The 30,000-acre wild ancient apricot forest in Yili is a beautiful place left over from the Middle Ages.
Apricot blossoms are the first to bloom in Xinjiang, known as the "heralds of spring." In early spring, the land is dyed pink by the blossoms, which bloom from south to north. In previous years, CCTV has deployed 15 drones to track the arrival of spring.
Image @cctv
If you miss it this spring, you must count the days and look forward to next spring. The apricot blossoms in Xinjiang are worth it.
Source @China News Network
In China, apricots have long been a symbol of good fortune, as they sound similar to the Chinese character for "luck." While spring in southern China can be rainy, why not head to Xinjiang to enjoy the sunshine and harvest a year of apricot luck?
Xinjiang has always been famous for its apricot blossoms in spring. Firstly, Xinjiang is worth visiting in itself, and secondly, the region has been experiencing peak season in recent years, with relatively few visitors during spring. This allows you to truly experience Xinjiang's pristine, pure beauty, and catching the blossoms during their prime is even more rewarding.
If you have never been to Xinghuagou, you will not understand how the beautiful apricot blossoms in the south of the Yangtze River can grow so freely and unrestrainedly in the vast canyon.
Thousands of years ago, this apricot forest spread its life here. Now, after several centuries of changes, they are still the most beautiful scenery in the northwest canyon.
Ili boasts boundless scenery, showcasing the culture and beauty of the Pamir Plateau. When a pink dream envelops the gradually greening grasslands and valleys, anyone visiting Xinjiang during apricot blossom season can dream a romantic dream of spring.
This year, we consulted many experts, and now we have the 2023 Xinjiang Apricot Blossom Viewing Guide and Flowering Period Forecast!
China-TravelNote started designing apricot blossom itineraries 10 years ago. Everyone is most concerned about the flowering period. Based on years of experience, we have made professional analysis and predictions for everyone👇
The distribution of wild apricot blossoms is closely related to climate, soil, and temperature, and the most important factor for apricot blossoms to bloom is temperature.
Every March, the temperature gradually warms up to above 0℃, and the flower buds grow. If the temperature of 15℃+ lasts for more than 3-5 days, it will promote the blooming of the flower buds and usher in the blooming of apricot flowers!
According to the recent temperature forecast for the apricot blossom distribution areas, this year's apricot blossoms in the Pamirs of southern Xinjiang are expected to gradually bloom around March 20. The apricot blossoms in Turgen, Yili, will reach their peak flowering period in early April, around the Qingming Festival, and the peak flowering period is generally about 7-10 days.
Apricot blossoms in Xinjiang are mainly distributed in four places: Xinghua Village in the Pamir Plateau, Turgen Xinghuagou in Yili, Toksun in Turpan, and Daxigou in Huocheng. Today's guide mainly introduces the first two.
"The shepherd boy points to the apricot blossom village in the distance"
If spring is brought by apricot blossoms, then spring in Xinjiang begins on the Pamir Plateau.
The mysterious Pamir Plateau always reminds people of "desolate and remote", but the Creator has hidden a field of soft apricot blossoms in the heart of the Karakoram Mountains.
"I asked where the tavern was, and the shepherd boy pointed to the apricot blossom village in the distance" (Du Mu, "Qingming")
Where is the Xinghua Village mentioned in the poem? In fact, the Xinghua Village on the Pamir Plateau is not the name of a specific village.
Villages with clusters of apricot blossoms, such as Datong, Tar, Qiaerlong, Kusinafu, and Kukoxiluk, are scattered along the Tashkurgan and Yarkand River valleys and are collectively known as apricot blossom villages. Due to differences in altitude and sunshine hours, the order of flowering varies from place to place.
The above map of Xinghua Village is drawn by @flying
The renowned Datong Township is nestled deep in the mountains, where apricot trees are planted in every courtyard. Centennial trees can be found everywhere. Their massive crowns blanket the entire courtyard, their majestic presence capturing the spring breeze.
The most anticipated apricot blossom tunnel in Tar Township is a 100-meter-long road covered with apricot blossoms, with large crowns and drooping branches, forming a pink corridor, which is simply full of girlish hearts!
Source @China News Network
As the weather warms, the apricot blossoms elsewhere gradually fade, but in Kukesiruk Township, slightly higher up, they remain in full bloom. The densest concentration is in Alemaleke Village, where the entire village appears to have emerged from a sea of pink.
The most original appearance of the Tajik settlement is preserved here. Simple women gather under the apricot trees to chat, work, and make embroidery with their hands. It seems that time has never passed here.
In addition to apricot blossoms, the Pamir Plateau has countless beautiful sights and cultural heritage waiting for you to explore!
The Karakoram Highway crosses the Pamir Plateau, passes by the White Sand Mountain, and passes by the "Father of Glaciers" Muztagh Ata Peak and the fertile Taheman Wetlands. The plateau is charming and the scenery changes with every step.
Because it passes through my country's highest national gate, the Khunjerab Pass, and leads directly to Pakistan, it is also affectionately called the "China-Pakistan Friendship Road."
The itinerary has been completely upgraded in 23 years. The Yarkand Khan Palace, a magnificent palace located in a small city in southern Xinjiang, fully demonstrates the luxury of Islamic architecture.
The Tajik people of the Pamir Plateau are native Caucasians in my country. They are called "visitors from under the iceberg" and the eagles of the Pamir Plateau.
Tajiks have obvious Aryan features, such as high nose bridge, blue eyes, white skin, hooked nose... They still retain some Western-like etiquette, such as the kissing etiquette.
For thousands of years, the Tajik people have been stationed in the heart of the desolate Pamir Plateau, guarding the apricot blossoms with their diligent hands, which have continued to bloom for thousands of years.
China-TravelNote is the first team to enter the Pamir Apricot Blossom Village. We are very familiar with the distribution and blooming time of apricot blossoms in each village and will take you to experience something different!
1. Follow the flowers, the best way to go
We specially arranged to enter the Tasha Ancient Trail from the east end, and then gradually head west from Datong Township, which has the lowest altitude. We followed the order of flowering, walked from flower to flower, and took as many photos as we could.
2. Photography leader leads the team and takes various photos
A photography leader is specially arranged to provide full guidance on apricot blossom photography and humanistic creation, so that novices can also gain a lot. The photography team also specially arranges 4 days and 3 nights of photography in Xinghua Village.
3. Equipped with a luxury off-road vehicle, the journey must be comfortable!
The photography group is specially equipped with a 7-seater Toyota Prado off-road vehicle, 3 people/vehicle, which is spacious and comfortable.
4. When traveling for charity, we are not just passers-by!
When China-TravelNote comes to Xinghuagou, we are not just passing by. We encourage guests to send school supplies to local primary schools and clothes to fellow villagers to spread warmth and love.
"Romance of Flowers Blooming in Tianshan Mountains"
Xinghuagou in Turgen Township, Xinyuan County, Yili City, is probably the place that best represents spring in Xinjiang!
Ili is known as the "Jiangnan outside the Great Wall", but unlike the apricot blossoms and misty rain in the fertile fields of the Jiangnan water towns, the flowers in the Ili River Valley are surging and magnificent.
Among the four places for viewing apricot blossoms in Xinjiang, the one with the largest planting area and the best viewing experience is the one that blooms from early to mid-April.
The overwhelming sea of pink flowers, spreading up the hillsides and deep into the valleys, is like the children of the rivers and lakes described by Jin Yong, who are both ambitious and shy and gentle.
The so-called "scattered red apricot hairs", the apricot trees in Turgen are neither arranged in rows nor in groups, but grow freely on the steep hillsides, standing alone or in groups, complementing the graceful curves of the Tianshan grassland.
In the early morning, the sun rises slowly behind the hillside. The apricot blossoms in the sunlight are as charming as the rouge on a girl's cheeks. In the distance, there are snow-capped mountains, cattle and sheep, and herdsmen's small houses hidden in the apricot forest, perfectly presenting the charm of spring in Xinjiang!
In the spring, Yili not only has Turgen Xinghuagou full of colorful flowers, but also many unique landscapes to enjoy!
Fushou Mountain in Daxigou Township, Huocheng County, is also covered with wild apricot blossoms. Asia's only wild cherry plum is also in full bloom. The scenery is picturesque all year round, making it a great place for photographers.
In Narat, one of the most famous grasslands in Xinjiang, wild lilies are already blooming against the snow, and wild apple and apricot blossoms are all over the hilltops.
The spectacular blue ice of Sailimu Lake, which was frozen in winter, began to melt in March and April. The thick ice was pushed to the shore by wind and waves, piling up layer by layer. It was incredibly beautiful under the sunlight. I strongly recommend a trip to Sailimu Lake in spring!
1. Move from flower to flower and adjust your movement flexibly
Meet in Urumqi and disband in Yining. Flexibly adjust the order of flower viewing to reduce long driving distances and visit each flower one by one to avoid missing the blooming season.
2. Comfortable travel by comfortable bus/luxury off-road vehicle
Spacious buses for in-depth tours and first-class buses for exclusive tours. Small SUVs for groups of 3-4 people, spacious and comfortable, cater to diverse needs.
3. Exclusive scene design, shooting exotic scenes
The photography team has designed two humanistic scenes for everyone, the desert camel shadows and the portraits of the Kazakh people in Xinghuagou, an exclusive experience for the photography team!
4. Light Luxury Apricot Blossom Afternoon Tea
Small off-road vehicle tours and in-depth tours are available. Apricot Blossom Valley, a traditional apricot blossom valley, is accessible, and a light luxury camping experience is arranged. Enjoy Kazakh afternoon tea and take photos in traditional costumes.
Accompanying you along the way is the cultural customs of the Western Regions.
Spring is the time to go out and have fun! If you've always said you wanted to come to Xinjiang to see the apricot blossoms, don't miss this year's spring.
