Guide to Flower Viewing in Ili Apricot Blossom Valley
A April snow of wild apricots on the hillside
Yili Apricot Blossom Valley refers to the wild apricot forests in the Xinjiang Nuer Tuerken area: on the slopes, there are more than 30,000 acres of wild apricots, which bloom all at once in mid-April, with waves of pink and white flowers spreading from the river valley to the ridges. The blooming period lasts only about a week, making it the most sought-after 'limited-time scenery' in Xinjiang each year.
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Destination Details
This wild apricot forest is a remnant of the medieval era, a pristine wild fruit forest, different from man-made orchards. The flowers are mostly pinkish-white, and the trees grow freely. Each year, the flowering period fluctuates with the temperature, generally between April 10 and 20, blooming first in the valleys and then on the slopes.
Flower Viewing Tips
- Tracking the flowering period: Monitor the local flowering progress a week before departure; arriving too early or too late may result in missing the flowers.
- Lighting: Backlight on the ridge after sunrise and side light before sunset are two golden times for photography.
- Pairing: Often combined with Nalati, Turgen Township, and Yining Kazanqi to form the Ili spring route.
The flowering period is crowded with people and cars, so accommodations need to be booked in advance. There are no formal trails on the slopes; please follow existing paths when viewing flowers and do not step on lawns or fences.
