Sayram Lake: A Blue Promise for Eternity

Sayram Lake: A Blue Promise for Eternity Sayram Lake, a dazzling pearl of Xinjiang, is known as "the last tear of the Atlantic." Its clear, blue waters are like a dream, attracting countless visitors. Take this guide and embark on this blue journey! - Best time to visit: June to August is the golden season, with lush grasslands, blooming wildflowers, and blue lake water, perfect for photography and camping; September to October is crisp and sunny, with golden grasslands and colorful forests, fewer tourists, and quiet scenery; December to March of the following year, the lake is frozen, with crystal blue ice and pure snow scenery, but some sections may be closed. There may be snow before May, and some attractions are closed. Be sure to check the weather before traveling. - Transportation Guide: You can fly to Yining Airport or Bole Airport, and then charter a car or take a shared car, which takes about 2–3 hours; you can also take a train to Bole Station or Jinghe Station, and take a taxi or tourist bus, which takes about 1.5 hours. Self-driving is the most recommended. It takes about 5.5 hours to drive directly from Urumqi along the Lianyungang–Khorgas Expressway; it takes about 2.5 hours from Yining. You can drive, rent electric cars, or take a sightseeing bus (approx. CNY 70/person) in the scenic area. Some sections are also suitable for hiking and cycling. There are bicycle rental points by the lake. - Accommodation recommendation: Mainly concentrated near the East Gate and South Gate, it is necessary to book in advance during the peak season. There are yurts and RVs in the Dianjiangtai Starry Sky Camp in the scenic area, which are super beautiful for taking pictures; Swan Leshui Homestay, the lake view room has a pleasant environment. Jinghe County and Bole City outside the scenic area have high cost performance for accommodation, but it takes 30–40 minutes to drive into the scenic area. - Ticket information: Peak season (April–October) ticket CNY 70 + sightseeing bus CNY 75 (you can only buy tickets for self-driving); off-season (November–March of the following year) ticket CNY 35 (some attractions are closed), online ticket purchase may be discounted by CNY 5–10. The scenic area is open 24 hours, but it is recommended to visit during the day, as it is cold at night. - Travel route: - 1-day tour: Enter through the East Gate, check in at the classic spot of Moon Bay, and then go to Santai Grassland to enjoy the summer wildflowers; have lunch by the Keleyongzhu Lake at noon and watch the swans; in the afternoon, go to Songshutou to overlook the panoramic view, then take pictures at the S-bend road internet-famous spot, and finally go to Jinhua Zihui to enjoy the sea of flowers in June and July, and return near the South Gate in the evening to watch the sunset. - 2-day tour: Day 1, tour around the lake, focusing on the east and south banks, and stay in the scenic area at night to take pictures of the starry sky; Day 2, hike, ride horses, or visit herdsmen's homes, and return in the afternoon. - Food recommendation: The fresh and tender white salmon is a specialty of Sayram Lake, and you can taste it in the scenic restaurant; there are also hand-grabbed mutton, roasted mutton skewers, as well as Kazakh milk tea and Baursaki, which are all delicacies not to be missed. Precautions: The ultraviolet rays are strong here, sunglasses, hats, and sunscreen are essential; the temperature difference between day and night is large, the summer daytime is 20℃+, and the night may be lower than 10℃, so bring a jacket; there are herdsmen by the lake, do not enter the pasture at will without permission; remember to take away the garbage and protect the lake ecology.