Huocheng Lavender Fields
解忧公主薰衣草园
China's lavender town, with fields of purple flowers across the Ili Valley. It is a must-stop on the way south from Sayram Lake to Yining.
Huocheng County lies in the western Ili Valley, at a latitude close to that of Provence in France and with a similar climate. Lavender has been grown here since the 1960s, and it is now China's largest lavender-producing area, known as “China's Lavender Town.” The fields are mainly east of the county seat, around Qingshuihe Town and Regiments 65 and 66 of the Fourth Division of the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, along both sides of National Highway G312. The most developed site is the Princess Jieyou Lavender Garden (in Regiment 65). It has about 2,000 mu of contiguous lavender fields, a lavender museum that introduces the history of cultivation, distillation techniques and essential oil products, observation towers and trendy photo installations. You can buy essential oils, dried flowers and lavender ice cream there. Nearby are similar sites such as the China Lavender Museum and the Yiparhan Lavender Garden. Flowering begins in mid-June, and late June to early July is the best viewing period, when the whole field turns purple and the air is full of fragrance. From mid-July the lavender is gradually harvested, after which only trimmed flower rows remain. Admission to the Princess Jieyou Lavender Garden costs about CNY 30–60 (prices differ in and out of season), and a visit takes 1–1.5 hours. It is about 60 km, roughly an hour's drive, from the south gate of Sayram Lake via Guozigou Bridge, and about 40 km south to Yining city, making it a convenient stop on the Ili loop. Notes: when photographing the fields, walk between the rows and do not trample the plants. Midday sun is harsh, so early morning and evening give softer light and fewer visitors. During the flowering season, weekends are crowded, so when buying essential oils, look for the garden's own brand.
Opening hours
9am–8pm (during blooming season)