Sayram Lake｜Xinjiang's Blue Tear, Breathtakingly Beautiful!

"The Last Tear of the Atlantic" lives up to its name! The first time I saw Sayram Lake, I screamed on the spot—this isn’t a lake at all! It’s clearly God’s spilled palette! 💙 The water is so blue it looks filtered, snow-capped mountains reflect in the distance, wildflowers bloom along the shore, and every shot is wallpaper-worthy! (A nine-grid post on social media is just not enough!) --- 🚗 Transportation Guide ✔️ **Self-Driving**: About 6 hours from Urumqi, it’s recommended to take the Lianhuo Expressway, with stunning scenery along the way! (But watch the speed limits) ✔️ **Lazy Travelers**: There are direct shuttle buses from Yining to the scenic area, about 2.5 hours. Be sure to choose a window seat! ⚠️ Avoid Pitfalls: Don’t trust wild guides who say “ride horses by the lake to take a shortcut.” The shoreline is super long; riding a horse for half an hour is still slower than driving for 5 minutes! --- 📸 Must-Visit Photo Spots** 1️⃣ **Pine Tree Head**: A 20-minute hike up the hill offers a panoramic view of the entire lake and Guozigou Bridge—totally worth it! (Wear comfortable shoes!) 2️⃣ **Kele Yongzhu**: The legendary “Blue Ice” shooting spot, visiting in winter feels like stepping into Frozen❄️ 3️⃣ **S-Curve Road**: With snow mountains and lake water as the backdrop, it’s perfect for epic road shots! (But watch out for passing vehicles) --- 🍖 Foodie Alert** ▪️ Must-try: High-grade white salmon stall! The meat is unbelievably tender; charcoal-grilled or sashimi is recommended (a bit pricey in the scenic area but worth it) ▪️ Bring your own snacks! Restaurants are few and expensive; my beef jerky saved my hungry friends 😂 ▪️ Avoid the “Sayram Lake Yogurt,” 15 yuan a cup tastes no different from the 3-yuan supermarket version… --- 💡 Hard-Learned Tips** 🔸 **Weather Mysteries**: The lake looks bluer in the morning; it tends to get windy in the afternoon! (My wedding photoshoot got blown away like Mei Chaofeng😭) 🔸 **Clothing Guide**: Bring a jacket even in June! The temperature difference by the lake is big; sunscreen + sunglasses are a life-saving combo! 🔸 **Hidden Experience**: Stay overnight in a Mongolian yurt in the scenic area and watch the starry Milky Way! 🌌 (But conditions are basic, not for the picky) --- ✨ Personal Reflection I met an elderly couple at Sayram Lake holding hands and walking by the lake for two hours. The lady said, “I’ve seen so many seas, but the blue here is the cleanest.” Suddenly, I understood why locals call it the “Pure Sea”—it really cleanses your eyes and even your heart. 💙 --- 📍 Address**: Bortala Mongol Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang 🎫 Ticket Price**: 145 RMB/person (self-driving requires an additional vehicle ticket) ⏰ Recommended Duration**: 1-2 days (staying overnight is more enjoyable!)