Detailed travel guide to Bosten Lake Scenic Area
📍Location: Bohu County, Bayinguoleng Mongol Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang, about 60 kilometers away from Korla City🚗, it is the largest inland freshwater lake in China🌊.
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1. Traffic Guide🚗
1. How to get there:
• Plane✈️: Fly to Korla Airport first, then rent a car/charter a car to the scenic area (about 1 hour drive).
• Self-driving🚗: From Urumqi, take the G314 National Highway, which is about a 5-hour drive; from Korla, take the G218, which is about an hour away.
• Public transportation🚌: There are shuttle buses from Korla Bus Station to Bohu County, and then take a taxi to the scenic area (about 15 minutes).
2. Transportation within the scenic area:
• The distances between the various attractions are quite far, so it is recommended to drive yourself or charter a car (about 300-500 yuan/day). In some areas, you can rent an electric car 🔋 or ride a bicycle 🚴♂️.
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2. Best time to travel 🌈
• June-October: The lake water is warm in summer, suitable for water activities 🏊♂️; the reeds are golden in autumn and the scenery is beautiful 🍂.
• Avoid winter ❄️ (November-March): It’s cold and some facilities are closed.
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3. Recommended must-see attractions🏞️
1. Dahekou Scenic Area (Xihai Fishing Village)🏖️
• Highlights✨: Beach 🏖️, Water Park 🏊♀️, Observation Deck 👀 overlooking the lake.
• Activities 🎢: Jet ski 🚤, speed boat 🚤, fishing 🎣, and sunset photography in the evening 🌅.
• Ticket price: 45 yuan/person, some water activities are charged separately.
2. Lotus Sea World (Ahongkou Scenic Area)🌸
• Highlights✨: Ten thousand acres of wild water lilies🌸, wetland migratory birds (egrets🐦, swans🦢).
• Activities: Take a boat tour of the reed marshes (ticket is about 60 yuan), best for photography in autumn.
3. Bailuzhou Scenic Area🐦
• Highlights✨: The desert 🏜️ blends with the lake, and you can experience sand sliding and desert off-roading 🏎️.
• Tips💡: You need to drive in, as some sections of the road are sandy.
4. Golden Beach Scenic Area🏖️
• Highlight✨: Xinjiang’s “Little Sanya” is suitable for swimming🏊♂️ and beach camping⛺️.
• Ticket price: about 40 yuan/person, water activities are open in summer.
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4. Accommodation recommendations🏨
1. Near the scenic spot:
• Dahekou Hotel🏨: Built by the lake, with a view from the window (about 500-800 yuan/night in peak season).
• Lotus Sea World B&B🏡: Experience the fishing style at affordable prices (200-400 yuan/night).
2. Korla City:
• With more choices, it is recommended to stay near the Peacock River (such as Licheng Garden Hotel 🌸) to facilitate the return trip the next day.
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5. Special food 🍽️
1. Bohu Fish Banquet🐟: Must try "Wudaohei" (braised/steamed), pepper and salt pond smelt🐟.
2. Xinjiang flavor: grilled lamb skewers, big plate chicken, pilaf, and naan pit meat.
3. Recommended restaurants:
• "Xihai Fishing Village" fish restaurant in Dahekou Scenic Area🐟.
• "Ailixier Roasted Whole Lamb🐏" in Korla city.
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6. Practical Tips💡
1. Sun protection and wind protection🌞💨: The ultraviolet rays are strong, so you need to prepare a hat🎩, sunglasses🕶️, and sunscreen🧴; the lake breeze is strong, so bring a windproof jacket🧥.
2. Environmentally friendly travel🌍: Do not litter and protect wetland ecology🌿.
3. National etiquette: Respect the local Mongolian and Uyghur customs and avoid taking photos of local people at will.
4. Note for self-driving: The road conditions in some scenic spots are average, so it is recommended to drive an SUV; download offline maps in advance (unstable signal).
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7. Recommended nearby tours🚀
• Korla City🏙️: Tiemenguan🚪, Swan River Scenic Area🦢, Bazhong Museum🏛️.
• Luobu Village 🏜️ (about 100 kilometers): Experience the desert poplar culture 🌲.
• Bayinbuluke Grassland🏞️ (about 300 kilometers): summer grassland + winding sunset🌅.
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📝Summary✍️: Bosten Lake combines lakes🌊, deserts🏜️, and wetlands🌿, making it suitable for a 2-3 day in-depth tour🧳. It is recommended to plan an itinerary in combination with Korla and other attractions in southern Xinjiang🗺️. Book your accommodation in advance (tight during peak season) 🛏️, travel light 🎒, and enjoy the vastness and tranquility of Xinjiang ✨!