Lavender fields in full bloom lure tourists to the Ili River Valley in northwest China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region on June 26.

With a sprawling planting area covering more than 5,000 hectares, Ili is the world's third-largest lavender production base, after Provence in France and Hokkaido in Japan.

According to the local government, the region's lavender business has grown into a thriving sector worth about 72 million U.S. dollars.

China - June 26, 2024

Storyline:
Lavender blossoms draw crowds to northwest China's Xinjiang

(Voice_over)

Lavender fields in full bloom are luring tourists to the Ili River Valley in northwest China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region.

With a sprawling planting area that covers more than 5,000 hectares, Ili is the world's third largest lavender production base, after Provence in France and Hokkaido in Japan.

(Sound_bite)

Tourist:

"The scenery is beyond my imagination. Any photo I took here can be used as phone wallpaper."

(Voice_over)

Unlike in France and Japan, lavender in China flower two times during the summer. Once in late June, and again in late September giving admirers plenty of time to enjoy scenery and fragrance filled breezes.

(Sound_bite)

Xing Yanling, lavender farmer:

"This year's lavenders are better than previous years. The color of the flowers is quite good."

(Voice_over)

According to the local government, the region's lavender business has grown into a thriving sector worth about 72 million U.S. dollars.

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