7 Days Xinjiang Apricot Blossoms Tour
Tour Overview
The apricot flowers in Pamir Plateau deserve the top reputation in Xinjiang. In April, the Tuergen Valley turns into a spectacular gallery of apricot blossoms, teeming with pink and white flowers in full bloom.
This 7-day apricot flower tour to Ili River Valley will lead you to catch the breathtaking natural scenery of beautiful wildflowers swaying on the verdant grass. In addition, you will have a chance to take a boat trip to an alpine lake, visit an ancient oasis village, and explore the largest, oldest and best-preserved raw-soil building in the world…
Highlights of this tour:
1. Indulge yourself in Xinjiang’s largest wild apricot forest – Tuergen Apricot Valley.2. Enjoy the boating cruiseĀ and trek around Heavenly Lake.
3. Take a leisure stroll along Sayram Lake and take pictures of blooming wildflowers.
4. Visit Naraty Grassland, one of the highest grasslands in the world, dubbed as the “Sky Grassland”.
5. Catch the fantastic sunset of Jiaohe Ruins, and admireĀ Sugong Minaret.
Day-by-day Itinerary
- Day 1: Urumqi Arrival
When you land in Urumqi, your driver will be waiting for you at the exit of the airport in advance, and then escort you to the well-selected hotel for check-in.
The rest of the day is left for you to freely explore this fascinating city at your own pace.
Accommodation: in Urumqi
- Day 2: Urumqi - TurpanTuyugou Village, Jiaohe Ruins
Drive for about 3 hours to Turpan, one of the important stops on the Silk Road. Along the way, have a glimpse of China's largest wind power station.
After arrival, move forward to Tuyugou Village, an ancient oasis village in a lush valley cutting into the Flaming Mountains.Ā Then head for Jiaohe Ruins, the largest, oldest and best-preserved raw-soil building in the world with a history of more than 2,000 years.
Accommodation: in Turpan
Jiaohe ruins - Day 3: Turpan - UrumqiKarez Well, Sugong Minaret
Today we'll continue our Turpan tour to Karez Well, an underground irrigation system that can be called the source of life for the arid northwestern region.
And then go to admire the 200-year-old Sugong Minaret, the largest ancient tower ever preserved in Xinjiang with a strong Islamic architectural style.
After all visits, you will be transferred back to Urumqi for the night.
Accommodation: in Urumqi
Sugong Pagoda - Day 4: Urumqi - Heavenly Lake - KuitunHeavenly Lake
In the morning, drive for about 1.5 hours and take a 40-minute bus to the 2,000-meter-high Heavenly LakeĀ in Tianshan Mountain.
Featuring a classic plateau landscape formed of snowy mountains, glaciers, and alpine lakes, the Heavenly Lake Scenic Area offers you a chance to stroll along the lake or take a boat (charging an extra fee) to see the lake from different angles. Then drive to Kuitun for rest.
Accommodation: in Kuitun
Take a boat on the lake - Day 5: Kuitun - Sayram Lake - Xinyuan CountySayram Lake, Guozigou Valley, Daxigou
With a nickname of "Atlantic Ocean's last teardrop", Sayram Lake, the first stop on today's journey, is the highest and largest alpine lake in Xinjiang with intoxicating scenery.Ā Take a walk and enjoy the colorful wildflowers and rolling grassland.
Relax in Sayram Lake Drive across Guozigou Bridge, where you'll see impressive S-shaped curves and admire the most beautiful valley in northern Xinjiang, Guozigou Valley.Ā Before arriving at Xinyuan, visit the majestic DaxigouĀ to take pictures of the picturesque apricot blossoms.
Accommodation: in Kanas
Daxigou Apricot Blossoms - Day 6: Xinyuan - Tuergen Apricot Valley - NaratyTuergen Apricot Valley
Enjoy a full-day apricot flower tour in Tuergen Apricot Valley, where you can see Xinjiang's largest wild apricot forest left from the middle ages.Ā Indulge yourself in the most enchanting sea of pink and white apricot blossoms in April.
Accommodation: in Nalaty
Tuergen Apricot Valley - Day 7: Naraty - Yining DepartureNalaty Grassland
Today, you will be accompanied on a visit to Nalaty Grassland, one of the highest grasslands in the world, dubbed the "Sky Grassland".Ā It's the favorite pasture of Kazakhs with dense vegetation, abundant streams, and many grasslands on slopes. Appreciate the magnificent view of the grasslands and learn about the local Kazakh folk customs.
Nalaty Prairie After that, drive you to Yining airport for your home-bound flight. Wish you a safe return journey!
* Note: weĀ suggest you book a flight after 6 p.m.
Accommodation: N/A
