Aksu Rock Sugar Heart Apple Picking: Take a Bite of 18° Autumn

When it comes to autumn in Aksu, Xinjiang, besides the enchanting golden poplars, what people long for most is the crisp, sweet, and juicy Rock Sugar Heart apples! As Aksu’s most famous signature, these apples, grown with Tianshan snow water and basked in sunlight for over ten hours daily, have cores that crystallize into amber-like, translucent rock sugar hearts. Their sweetness generally exceeds 18°, and with one bite, the happiness of autumn is instantly full!

Here’s a firsthand picking guide for you—bookmark it now!

📍 Where is the picking orchard?
Yiganqi Township around Aksu City is a popular picking area, home to many high-quality orchards such as the Qicai Bagqi Apple Picking Orchard, Niuniu Cream Strawberry Picking Orchard, and a series of nearby orchards. It’s very convenient to get there from the city.

📅 Best picking time
October is the peak season for Aksu Rock Sugar Heart apples. By then, the apples have experienced frost, making the rock sugar heart most stable and the flavor at its peak.

🚗 Suggested itinerary
Morning: Head to the orchards in Yiganqi Township to enjoy the fun of picking apples yourself. Don’t forget to take plenty of photos in the orchard—the golden autumn sunlight and bright red apples make for perfect shots!
Noon: Taste authentic farmhouse dishes at a nearby farmhouse restaurant or return to the city for lunch.
Afternoon: Take a stroll in the nearby Aksu National Wetland Park, admire the golden autumn reeds, and leisurely end this fulfilling day.

💡 Picking tips
· Outfit advice: Wear comfortable shoes for walking around the orchard. Pair with some pastoral-style clothing for better photos.
· Buying apples: Apples cost about 4 yuan per jin at the orchard; shipping fees are extra.

This autumn, why not come to Aksu, fill your basket with the freshest sweetness from the branches, and also fill your memories!

Post by tenebria_5063 | Oct 22, 2025