Lavender industry booms in slow-paced Xinjiang village

Photo taken on July 11 shows the lavender fields in "Huanghuang village" of Lucaogou town, Huocheng county, in Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region. [Photo by Dong Senhe/chinadaily.com.cn]

Once an underdeveloped and isolated place, Sigong village of Lucaogou town, Huocheng county, in Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, has now become a "blooming paradise" attracting millions of visitors.

Previously, the farmlands had shallow soil and were full of stones, leading to low crop production. A decade ago, locals found the typical continental semi-arid climate in the Ili River Valley, where the village is situated, perfect for lavender to flourish.

Since then, each household in the village began cultivating lavender. They also produce dried flowers, essential oils, and other products, turning lavender planting into a local industry.

Now, the village has a lavender planting base covering 12,000 mu (800 hectares), making a great contribution to Huocheng county, which is recognized as one of the world's three major lavender planting bases, along with Provence in France and Furano in Hokkaido, Japan.