5-Day Apricot Blossom Itinerary in Yili, Xinjiang during April Blossom Season

🌸Spring has arrived, and the apricot blossoms are in full bloom across the valleys of Yili. Wild lilies emerge from the thawing ice in Nalati🌱, transforming Yili into a romantic wonderland with seas of flowers.✨As the snow melts on the Tianshan Mountains, a gentle spring breeze carries the fragrance of falling blossoms, reminiscent of the enchanting April described by Lin Huiyin⛅.
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🌈Yili Apricot Blossom Season: April 1st to April 20th every year, with the best viewing period around April 12th.
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🛬【Itinerary】
D1: Arrive in Yining - Free time - Check in to Yining hotel
D2: Yining - Guozigou Bridge - Lake Sayram - Swan encounters - Stay at Sayram Lake 140KM
D3: Sayram Lake - Daxi Valley flower viewing - Nalati Aerial Grassland - Snow Lotus Valley - Stay at Nalati 399KM
D4: Nalati - Turgen Apricot Valley - Yili Tianshan Flower Sea - Kazanqi - Stay in Yining 267KM
D5: Depart from Yining (End of tour)
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⛺【Must-See Attractions】
🌿Sayram Lake: In April, the ice and snow on Sayram Lake melt, and the ice crystals covering the shoreline create a unique ice-pushing spectacle. New buds sprout along the shore, the grasslands are lush green, and wildflowers bloom freely, forming a breathtaking picture with the azure lake and graceful swans.
🌿Daxi Valley Apricot Blossoms: Blooming mostly in mid-to-late April, the valley is filled with white and pink apricot blossoms, as well as wild fruit forests and cherry blossoms, adding vibrant colors to the grassland.
🌿Turgen Apricot Valley: The largest remaining primitive apricot forest from the 14th century, the blossoms peak from early to mid-April. The apricot trees grow freely across the valley, with cattle and sheep scattered like pearls among the flowers and on the grassy slopes.
🌿Nalati: In spring, the Nalati grasslands are lush green, with wild lilies emerging from the melting ice. Yellow, purple, and pink wildflowers blanket the hillsides, while snow-capped mountains loom in the distance. Cattle and sheep graze leisurely on the grasslands, and the air is filled with the delicate fragrance of flowers, creating a fairytale-like setting that is incredibly healing!
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🚌【Transportation Guide】
Fly directly to Yining Airport. From Yining, rent a car or hire a car to explore. It only takes 2.5 hours to reach the destination. The Duku Highway is not open in April, so starting from Urumqi is not recommended. Xinjiang covers a vast area, and the distances between attractions are long, with complex mountain roads. Self-driving requires extensive driving experience. If traveling with elderly people or children, it is recommended to book a reputable small group tour or a customized small group tour for a hassle-free experience.
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💡【Tips】
⚠️Carry some cash, as the signal on the mountaintop is weak, and mobile payments may not be available.
⚠️Wear non-slip shoes, as the dirt roads in the apricot blossom valleys can be slippery, and falls are common.
⚠️Sunscreen and sunglasses are essential, as the UV rays in Xinjiang are strong.
⚠️Xinjiang experiences significant temperature differences between day and night, so pack warm clothing.