Honestly! Sayram Lake in winter is the ultimate romance

Sayram Lake is a famous tourist destination in Xinjiang, attracting many visitors with its clear waters and beautiful natural scenery. Here is a travel guide: Basic Information - Tickets: 70 RMB/person in peak season, 35 RMB/person in off-season. Self-driving service fee is 75 RMB/person, shuttle bus ticket is 60 RMB/person. - Opening Hours: Core business hours are 8:00 AM to 11:00 PM. East Gate manual ticket sales start at 10:00 AM. It is recommended to purchase tickets online in advance. - Best Travel Seasons: Summer (June to August) has suitable temperatures and blooming wildflowers, ideal for lake tours; Winter (December to February) offers views of blue ice and ice bubble wonders. Transportation Guide - External Transportation: You can drive from Urumqi, which takes 6-7 hours. Alternatively, you can charter or carpool from Yining, about 2 hours by car, with carpooling costing around 150 RMB/person. There is also a tourist shuttle bus from Bole City, taking 1.5 hours with a ticket price of 35 RMB. - Internal Transportation: For self-driving, a service fee must be paid, with a speed limit of 50 km/h throughout. It is recommended to drive counterclockwise around the lake. Shuttle buses are also available, stopping at fixed points such as Moon Bay and Dianjiangtai. Must-Visit Attractions - Moon Bay: Crescent-shaped, with morning mist in the early hours, offering sailing experiences. - Dianjiangtai: The site where Genghis Khan assembled troops for his western expedition. You can climb up for a panoramic view of Sayram Lake, especially beautiful at sunset. - Kele Yongzhu: A spring area with dense springs, featuring ice bubble wonders in winter and swan gatherings in summer. - Songshutou: You can hike the wooden plank road to the top, overlooking Sayram Lake and Guozigou Bridge. In June, the hillside is carpeted with wildflowers, and in autumn, the forest is richly colored. Special Experience Activities - Sailing on the Lake: At Moon Bay Pier, 120 RMB/person for 30 minutes, allowing close-up experience of the clear lake water. - Paragliding: Take off from the Ten-Mile Dyke, 580 RMB/person, offering aerial views of the lake and grasslands. Weight limit is under 80 kg. Food Recommendations - High-White Salmon: A cold-water fish unique to Sayram Lake, available as sashimi, pan-fried, or fish dumplings. - Kazakh Milk Tea: Salty and rich, paired with Baursak, can be experienced in yurts on the West Sea Grassland. - Roasted Baozi: Crispy on the outside with lamb and onion filling, available at Bole City night market for 3 RMB each. Accommodation Recommendations - Dianjiangtai Starry Sky RV Camp: 800-1200 RMB/night, with panoramic skylights to view the Milky Way, including breakfast and dinner. - West Sea Grassland Mongolian Yurt: 200-500 RMB/night, offering an experience of Kazakh yurt life. Notes - Sayram Lake is at an altitude of 2075 meters; avoid strenuous exercise. The weather is changeable, so bring a windproof jacket. - UV rays are strong; bring sunglasses, a hat, and SPF50+ sunscreen. - Drone flying is prohibited throughout the area; registration is required at the East Gate Police Station.