Traveling 6,000 km! Just to Take Mom to Chase the Xinjiang Tianshan Red Poppies

At 30, I'm not just a mom but also a daughter👧🏻. This Xinjiang trip was my reverse move: no kid-wrangling, just mom-wrangling~

Tianshan Red Poppies' self-introduction🎤:

The Tianshan Red Poppy is a wildflower🌷 unique to the Ili Valley🌿. In Kazakh, it's called "Kozgaldak," meaning "the flower that freely migrates."

Its peak bloom🌸 lasts only about 15 days from mid-May to early June, and the flowers open daily only from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM (a 3-hour workday—I’m deeply envious). After noon, the blossoms close. To see their beauty, you’ve got to rise early!

*⃣️*⃣️*⃣️2025 Tianshan Red Poppy Viewing Intel:
According to Yining County Media Center, this year’s abundant rainfall💦 means the poppies will bloom until early June. √

📍Recommended Viewing Spots:
1️⃣ Lucao Town, Huocheng County
🐮 Qianmu Pasture in Muye Village: Flower sea + sheep flocks🐏 + snow-capped mountains🏔️ = a visual feast that’ll leave you awestruck!

⛰️ Changshan Liangzi Village Observation Deck: Expansive views let you overlook the flower sea🌸 for a unique visual treat👀. You can also climb high to see the mountains⛰️ and watch the flowers playfully chase the peaks.

2️⃣ North Mountain, Awuliya Township, Yining County: A newly discovered hidden gem, free of crowds, where the flowers🌷 sway with the mountain breeze. The flower sea nestles against grasslands and forests🌲, like a living painting.🖼️

3️⃣ Musi Town, Nileke County: Famous for its "largest red poppy sea." On the way🚗, I almost gave up❌, thinking this year’s flower chase might fail.

But then—a twist! Around a bend, I saw many parked cars🚗. Rushing out, I discovered a vast, vibrant sea of red poppies🌸, frolicking under the snow-capped mountains🏔️ all the way to the horizon☁️.

If you’re tempted, start planning now! Miss it this year, and you’ll have to wait till next.

🚗 Suggested Itinerary:
Urumqi → Sayram Lake → Manjiang Valley Red Poppies → Yining Kazanqi Travel Photography → Qiongkushitai → Kalaku Grassland → Gongliu → Musi Township → Nalati → Bayinbuluke → Hejing → Turpan → Urumqi

(Due to word limits, notes on southern🏜️/northern🏞️ Xinjiang and Ili🐴 attractions will follow (๑•̀ω•́๑)📝. If you’re into Xinjiang travel, hit ❤️ to stay tuned!)

Take your parents to see the world✈️ before they grow old—just like they once showed you the way❤️. Where did you first travel with your parents after starting work?