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⛅. —— 🌈Yili Apricot Blossom Season: April 1st to April 20th every year, with the best viewing period around April 12th. —— 🛬【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) —— ⛺【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! —— 🚌【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. —— 💡【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.