Yumin Wild Mountain Almond Forest: A Cenozoic Floral Symphony in the Barluk Mountains

1.The Yumin Wild Mountain Almond: Forest is a premier natural sanctuary located in Yumin County, Tacheng Prefecture, situated at the northern foothills of the Barluk Mountains. Spanning a core area of approximately 100,000 mu, this vast ecological zone sits at an altitude between 1,000 and 1,400 meters. This forest is not a man-made orchard but a wild, prehistoric ecosystem that serves as a "living fossil" from the Cenozoic era,. It is scientifically recognized as the largest and most concentrated population of wild mountain almonds in China.

Every spring, the landscape undergoes a breathtaking transformation as hundreds of thousands of wild almond trees burst into a sea of pink and white blossoms. These flowers blanket the rolling hilly terrain and deep canyons, creating a vivid contrast against the red-toned earth and the distant, snow-capped peaks of the Barluk range. The fragrance of the blossoms fills the valleys, providing a sensory experience that marks the arrival of spring in the Tacheng borderlands. The nearby Tulgaliao Grassland offers an iconic viewpoint where the sculptural "human-body" curves of the green hills are draped in these floral hues.

The forest is also a vibrant center for Kazakh nomadic culture. For centuries, herdsmen have followed traditional migration paths through these blooming valleys, and their white yurts (Akeshi) remain a common sight amidst the almond trees. Visitors can witness authentic pastoral life, including traditional singing competitions known as Aken Aytes and summer horse racing events,. The integration of these ancient nomadic traditions with a prehistoric floral landscape makes Yumin a unique cultural corridor along the historic Grassland Silk Road. Exploring the Aketas Canyon within the forest allows travelers to see the oldest trees in the region, some of which feature gnarled, dragon-like trunks that have endured for centuries.