As the weather warms up, Xinjiang's sea of flowers blooms successively from south to north, with apricot blossoms in March, pear blossoms in April, and tulips in May. The "flower economy" has gradually evolved from a by-product of traditional agriculture into a new driver of local economic growth. From the apricot blossoms in Turpan, known as "the first spring in Xinjiang," to the almond blossoms in Shufu County, from peach blossoms in Kashi to apple blossoms in Poskam County, the flower-based industry chain is reshaping the economic landscape of both urban and rural areas.

Revitalizing rural tourism

As the spring breeze blows, apricot blossoms quietly unfold in Keping County in southern Xinjiang, gently swaying in the wind. Against this backdrop, the apricot blossom cultural tourism festival was launched in Keping County, Aksu Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

Groups of three or five tourists were scattered throughout the area. Some immersed themselves in the sea of flowers, taking group photos beneath the apricot blossoms, while others focused their cameras on the delicate, pink blossoms to capture their beauty. Under the apricot trees, visitors listened to traditional folk singing, inhaled the fragrance of the blossoms, and breathed in spring’s vitality.

“Every year the apricot blossoms bloom, but each year brings something new and wonderful,” said Zhang Tiemei, one of the event organizers. She noted the unique aspects of this year’s apricot blossom festival in Keping County. “In previous years, I was always busy with the event, but this year, I took some time to take photos of the blossoms, bought some local camel milk products, and shared the joy of spring with my family.”

The apricot blossoms have not only made Keping County famous far and wide, but the "flower economy" has also boosted local rural tourism.

"Every year during the apricot blossom festival, I set up a stall here, and I've been doing it for four or five years now. The many new highlights this year have attracted more visitors, and my kebab sales are going to be even better," said Aizimat Mamut, the owner of a kebab stall on the food court of the apricot blossom scenic area.

In spring, apricot, almond, and cherry blossoms bloom from south to north across the Tianshan Mountains. Kashi Prefecture has launched the 2025 Spring Flower Viewing Tourism Season, themed "Kunlun Mountains and the Blossoming of Kashi," to explore new ways of integrating culture and tourism. Since the activities began, Kashi received 3.31 million visitors in March, up 32.2 percent year-on-year. The Turpan Apricot Blossom Festival attracted 2.86 million visitors from its opening to April 6, with a total tourism consumption of 1.46 billion yuan (about 202 million U.S. dollars), up 31.44 percent year-on-year.

The upgrade of the flower-viewing economy

On the Pamir Plateau, under a clear blue sky, a water official named Jamili Kandike shouted as he opened the sluice gate, releasing a gushing stream of clear water. This marked the annual festival for welcoming spring in Waerxidie Village, Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, a traditional intangible cultural heritage activity of "ice-breaking and water-drawing for spring sowing" that attracted many tourists.

"I'm so excited. I drank mutton soup with everyone and celebrated the festival. It felt like I became one of the villagers. This trip is really worth it," said Huang Rui, a tourist from Shenzhen, South China's Guangdong Province, who was wearing traditional ethnic clothing and sharing stewed mutton and naan with the locals.

In recent years, the flower-viewing economy has continuously evolved from mere visual consumption to a deeper cultural immersion, expanding from isolated attractions to integrated cross-sector collaborations, and shifting from a reliance on short-term popularity to a strategy that emphasizes sustained and lasting appeal. Visitors can watch traditional horse-riding games and Tajik wedding customs on the Pamir Plateau, experience the revitalized Jiaohe Ancient City under artistic lighting, wear ethnic costumes, and try out intangible cultural heritage products like wooden spoons and felt handicrafts from Keping. This cultural feast that blooms alongside the flowers offers tourists a more profound experience.

"I came to Turpan from Urumqi to see the flowers, but the experience was so captivating that I ended up staying for three days instead of just one. There were the bustling city-opening ceremonies, the melodious Kunqu opera, and a variety of cultural performances. It was simply unforgettable," said Lyu Jianbo, a tourist who traveled from Urumqi to Turpan for the flower festival.

The continuous transformation of diverse scenarios such as "flower viewing + intangible cultural heritage," "flower viewing + cuisine," and "flower viewing + entertainment" has effectively extended the brief blooming season. This approach has effectively transformed the influx of visitors during the peak flower-viewing season into a stable, long-term customer base, thereby significantly boosting local economic development. In the first quarter of this year, Kashi Prefecture achieved a tourism revenue of 7.568 billion yuan (about 1.04 billion U.S. dollars).

Using flowers as a medium to extend the industrial chain

"Try some of these almonds. We grow them ourselves," said a local grower, Abuliz Mamat, as he enthusiastically offered his homegrown almonds to visitors at a recent flower festival in Yarkant County. The event was part of the spring flower-viewing season in Kashi, featuring almond blossoms and promoting local agricultural products.

Yarkant County, the largest almond-growing base in China, is renowned for its high-quality almond resources, which are rare in the world and unique in the country. Over the years, leveraging its superior natural conditions, the county has vigorously developed the almond industry, extended the deep processing and industrial chain of almonds, and carefully cultivated 76 distinctive varieties.

Starting with the blossom-viewing of almond flowers, Yarkant County has established a comprehensive development system for the flower economy industry, integrating tourism, beekeeping, and fruit and tree industries.

"This event not only promoted the 'Hometown of Chinese Almonds' brand but also effectively connected rural tourism with rural revitalization," said Wang Rong, the Party secretary and deputy director of the Culture, Sports, Radio, Television, and Tourism Bureau of Yarkant County.

Shortly after the almond blossoms bloomed, workers from the Leyi Beekeeping Farmers' Professional Cooperative in Yarkant County were busy packaging the latest batch of almond blossom honey. "The blooming period is the golden time for honey collection and also the peak sales season," said Liu Huiwen, the head of the cooperative. "We currently offer over ten specialty products, including almond blossom honey, propolis, and royal jelly, with annual sales reaching nearly six million yuan (about 0.83 million U.S. dollars)."

"We are shifting from 'one-season flower viewing' to 'year-round revenue streams,'" said Sun Yan, the Party secretary of the Culture and Tourism Bureau of Yengisar County. At a recent investment promotion event in Yengisar County, eight companies signed investment agreements worth a total of 655 million yuan (about 90.13 million U.S. dollars).

(Source: Workers' Daily, Reporters: Wu Duosi and Ma Anni)