
Welcome to Visit Xinjiang in Spring March and April, a unique time where winter snow melts and spring flowers bloom—an exclusive, quiet off-peak period to enjoy its stunning natural beauty. As a treasure in northwest China with amazing nature and rich cultures, March and April are the golden time for travelers who love in-depth experiences, photography and cultural exploration.
Enjoy Charming Spring Scenery: Ili’s Turgen Valley has Asia’s largest wild apricot forest, blooming from late March to mid-April. Pamir’s Apricot Villages combine Tajik villages, blossoms and snowy views where you can enjoy both natural beauty and local culture. As “the last tear of the Atlantic Ocean”, Sayram Lake shows rare half-ice half-water scenery with bubble ice and ice pushes at the end of its blue ice period. Early Nalati and Kalajun Grasslands turn fresh green in spring. With distant snow mountains, they create soft layered views different from the thick green of summer.
Enjoy an Off-Season Travel: You can enjoy quiet scenery and perfect shooting conditions for photography. Accommodation and transport are cheaper than peak season. We also provide early booking services for popular apricot-season homestays. Days are warm and nights are cool without extreme weather, ideal for outdoor trips and long journeys.
Experience Cultural Customs: In ancient Kashgar Old City, you can enjoy opening ceremonies, local tea and traditional snacks to experience Uyghur lifestyle. You may also watch Tajik eagle dances and sheep races, and experience Kazakh yurt culture. Local festivals in spring including apricot and pear blossom events also bring lively traditional celebrations.

Xinjiang warms up gradually in March and April, with obvious regional temperature differences and extremely large day-night temperature gaps. Northern Xinjiang is cool, with temperatures ranging from 0℃ to 20℃; mountain areas still have residual snow and low nighttime temperatures. Southern Xinjiang is milder, around 10℃ to 25℃, mostly sunny with little rain. The air is dry with strong ultraviolet rays. Sudden light wind and occasional temperature drops often happen.

Northern Xinjiang — Ice, Flowers & Grasslands
Yili Turgen Apricot Valley: It is the most iconic apricot viewing spot in Xinjiang. The best visiting time is from late March to mid-April. For photography, the soft light two hours after sunrise and before sunset offers perfect shooting conditions.
Sayram Lake: You can enjoy its seasonal blue ice scenery. The ice piles at the south gate are the best photo spots. Bright dressing and light outfits are highly recommended for beautiful landscape photos.
Nalati Grassland: The grassland turns fresh green in early spring. Visitors can experience local Kazakh folk culture and enjoy complete supporting facilities for traveling.
Southern Xinjiang — Culture & Plateau Beauty
Kashgar Old City: It features ancient alleys, traditional local food, and famous cultural landmarks including Id Kah Mosque and the century-old teahouse.
Pamir Plateau Apricot Villages: Covering Datong Township and Tar Township, these villages are famous for picturesque blossom views. Remember to apply for a border permit in advance. The road conditions is smooth for sightseeing.
Baisha Lake & Karakul Lake: They present wonderful reflections of snow-capped mountains on calm lake surfaces, forming unique spring plateau scenery.
Urumqi Surroundings — Short Trip Options
Nanshan Pasture: It is ideal for casual spring trips, with fresh grasslands, strawberry picking and cultural creative activities.
Xinjiang Museum: With precious historical relics and Silk Road cultural exhibitions, it is a perfect stop for short and cultural sightseeing routes.
Clothing: There is a large temperature difference between day and night. Layered dressing is highly suggested, including light jackets and even warm down coats. Sunscreen, sunglasses, hats and moisturizing masks are also essential during your trip.
Transportation: After arriving in Urumqi, international visitors can travel to Ili, Kashgar and other places by flight or high-speed rail. Private chartered cars with experienced local drivers are recommended for local travel. Note that Duku Highway is closed in April. View more to see how to get Xinjiang and trains in Xinjiang.
Documents & Formalities: Please carry your ID card at all times due to frequent security checks. A border permit is required for traveling to Taxkorgan. We can assist you with permit application in Kashgar. Xinjiang Travel Policy
Food Guide: Must-try local delicacies include baked buns, stewed lamb soup, fried noodles, big plate chicken and handmade ice cream. Please avoid cheap one-day tour traps and overpriced food streets near airports. What to Eat During Your Xinjiang Tour
Yining - Xinyuan - Naraty Gongliu - Daxigou Valley - Qingshuihe - Kuitun - Urumqi
Join in our Xinjiang apricot blossom in Spring. In Yili, go to Tuergen village and Daxigou valley, immerse yourself in the ocean of apricot flowers. Then go to Yining city to experience the exotic Liuxing Street. Visiting Naraty and Kalajun grassland is also enjoyable in spring!
Urumqi → five-colored (Yardan Landform) → Mulei Diversiform-leaved Poplar Forest → Hami → Kumtag Desert → Tuyoq village → Urumqi
Xinjiang Tour: Hami and Balikun. Experience the vast grassland in Balikun and eastern Xinjiang Hami. You will also visit the famous trading post of Turpan to experience the profound history and culture ancient Silk Road.
Kashgar-Taxkorgan-Yining-Xinyuan-Naraty-Sayram Lake-Kuitun-Urumqi
Join our Xinjiang group tour in April and experience the stunning spring beauty of Kashgar and Ili. Visit the scenic Karakul Lake, explore the historic Kashgar Old Town, and discover Ili’s highlights, including the Nalati Grasslands and Turgen’s apricot blossom valley. A journey through Xinjiang's natural and cultural wonders.