Pomegranates (石榴)

Pomegranates are in season in the late summer and fall in Xinjiang. You’ll find the dark red fruit piled up outside farmers’ markets and it is sold by the kilogram. There are two types of pomegranate – sour ones that are used in dishes and sweet ones that are used for juice. However, tourists find it difficult to tell the difference.

Known for its particular climate, Xinjiang boasts extremely delicious fruits such as pomegranates, melons and grapes. Pomegranates as large and sweet as Xinjiang pomegranates are rarely found in other cities in the country, so remember to buy as many pomegranates as you can carry home at the end of your tour in Xinjiang.