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Just how beautiful is Sailimu Lake? When is the best time to visit? What are the best ways to enjoy and photograph Sailimu Lake? What should you pay attention to when visiting Sailimu Lake? This guide will tell you everything!
(Photo from @Leader Lingli)
Sayram Lake is beautiful year-round! While most people only visit in the summer, each season offers its own unique charm and unique ways to enjoy the scenery. While the mountains are rugged, the lake itself is elegant. The scenery changes throughout the day, and even at the same moment, different views can be seen from different angles along the lake.
The beauty of Sayram Lake is revealed through four seasons:
Every year from March to April, the lake, frozen for the entire winter, begins to thaw, pushing large chunks of ice to the shore. This is a great time to admire the melting ice. The lake, encircled by ice and snow, feels like the transition between winter and spring. Standing by the lake, you can touch the ice and snow with your hands and gaze out at the tranquil surface.
During this season, there are relatively few people in Sayram Lake, the climate is cool and comfortable, and you can also go to Xinghuagou in Yili to see the apricot blossoms.
(Photo from @Leader Axin)
(Photo from @飞翔)
From mid-May to early June, as the temperature rises, the grasslands around Sayram Lake begin to sprout, nourished by the snow water from the Tianshan Mountains.
Wild tulips, nasturtiums, giant nasturtiums, forget-me-nots, irises and other flowers that are characteristic of Sailimu Lake bloom one after another around the azure Sailimu Lake. They have a long flowering period and a wide variety of varieties. The mountain flowers blooming like a tide and the snow-capped mountains and blue lake are set against a backdrop of stunning sea of flowers. Sailimu Lake has become a "lake in a sea of flowers".
Imagine that when the flowers of Sai Lake grow from a little powder to a hundred flowers in full bloom, you are quietly waiting for the night to fall by the Sai Lake with your loved one, gazing at the snow-capped mountains and lake in the distance, looking up at the starry sky and the Milky Way, and falling asleep peacefully with the starry sky in your arms.
(Photo from @美玉)
July and August, after the flower season, are also popular months for visiting Sayram Lake. The lake is shimmering, and you can feel the coolness of summer by the lake, and your restless heart will calm down along with the vast expanse of the lake.
(Photo from @Leader Kler Yongzhu)
The Sayram Lake Scenic Area is divided into six functional zones: the Lakeside Scenic Area, the Nomadic Grassland Area, the Ecological Landscape Conservation Area, the Swan and Other Rare Bird Habitat Protection Area, the Tourism Comprehensive Service Area, and the Pristine Ecological Environment Preservation Area. While circling the lake, you can often encounter wild swans and enjoy a close encounter with these pure white creatures.
The beauty of autumn in northern Xinjiang lies not only in Kanas and Hemu, but also in Sayram Lake.
In September, the green grass by the lake turns yellow. As the sun sets, the golden hues and tranquil blue create a uniquely harmonious scene. In the comfortable temperature and gentle sunshine, strolling along the shores of Sai Lake with your loved one, gazing out across the tranquil blue, and looking back, a vast expanse of golden autumn paints the mountains. A visit to Sai Lake in autumn will soothe you, allowing you to quietly savor this time by the lake that belongs to you.
(Photography Network @財辱若惊)
(Photography Network @Laobu)
In late December every year, Lake Sai enters a freezing period. The entire huge lake surface is frozen by ice and does not begin to melt until March of the following year. After the clear lake water freezes, it is as transparent as glass and emits an attractive sapphire-like light under the sunlight. It is hard to tell whether it is the rendering of the blue sky or the blue of the lake water. The wonders of nature are amazing.
From early January to early March, you can walk on the ice and take photos. There's plenty of blue ice and ice bubbles, and the weather is dry and sunny. The ice on the north side is smoother and has more ice bubbles.
(Photo from @Leader Mo Qing)
Winter-Foxes also appear~
If encountering swans at Sayram Lake in summer is an unexpected surprise, then in winter, you must visit the Swan Spring in the Ili River Valley.
Every winter, a large number of wild mute swans fly from Russia to spend the winter here. The unique landscape of the Ili River Valley often features rime, under which a flock of pure white swans swim, creating a beautiful scene reminiscent of a paradise.
It is recommended to visit Swan Spring twice, once in the morning and once in the evening. In the morning, take pictures of the swans under the morning mist and rime, and in the evening, take pictures of Swan Spring under the sunset light and shadow.
(Photography Network @Light and Shadow Silent)
(Photo from team leader @影)
How to play at Sayram Lake? Which angle is the best for taking photos? First, let's take a look at the scenic area map of Sayram Lake:
The editor has compiled the best spots for parking and taking photos at Sai Lake. Please see the picture below:
A circumnavigation of Sayram Lake covers approximately 90 kilometers. China-TravelNote arranges a tour around the lake: glimpses of clear water and blue skies, endless wildflowers, leisurely flocks of sheep, and galloping horses. You can stop and admire the beautiful natural scenery of the alpine lake, search for the footprints of the white swans in the White Swan Nature Reserve, and photograph the sacred lake from various angles.
(Photo from @Photography.net-Laobu-Huan Guo Hong Yan)
The newly built asphalt road around the lake is smooth and comfortable, with ample parking spots. There's also a dedicated cycling path alongside, perfect for cycling along the lakeside, enjoying the cool breeze and stopping at scenic spots for photos and views...
Watching the sunrise, sunset and starry sky at Sai Lake is also a very unique experience.
Because Sailimu Lake is far away from the city and has little light pollution, if time permits, you can choose to stay overnight near Sailimu Lake, enjoy the sunrise and sunset and the starry sky, and visit the Xiaguozigou Bridge, Huocheng lavender, and Horgos Port, which is also a great way to play.
The sunrise at Sailimu Lake is near the South Gate, and the sunset is near the East Gate. You can also go to Guozigou to watch the sunset and the starry sky. If you need to enter Sailimu Lake twice, you can buy a second-entry ticket.
(Photo from team leader @Baokaliya)
(Photography Network @口水牛牛)
Tickets: Adjusted every year, based on the scenic area formula
Opening hours: 10:00-20:00
There is a swan protection area in the scenic area and flying drones is not allowed.
It is recommended to allow 3-5 hours for the scenic area shuttle bus to circle the lake. There are many cars at several major stops.
Sunrise is near the South Gate and sunset is near the East Gate, or head to Guozigou.
From the end of May to the beginning of June, you can see large areas of wild flowers on the south side of the lake, which is super beautiful!
From Urumqi:
You can charter a car, about 550 kilometers, about 6-7 hours
Take the train to Yining, where you can take a sleeper overnight and arrive in Yining the next morning. From there, charter a car to Sayram Lake, a distance of approximately 220 kilometers and 2.5 hours. (China-TravelNote has local activities departing from Yining, which we recommend.)
Take the bus to Yining and ask the driver to stop at Sayram Lake to drop you off. However, this is not recommended because the bus schedule is fixed and will limit your time to visit.
From Yining:
1. Take a one-day or two-day tour to Sayram Lake in Yining
2. Charter/rent a car to drive to Sayram Lake, about 220 kilometers, about 2.5 hours
We recommend traveling to Yining first. From there, you can join a tour group, share a chartered car, or rent a car. If you're traveling from Urumqi, the drive will be longer, impacting your experience and time. We recommend staying overnight near Sayram Lake to enjoy the sunrise, sunset, and starry sky.
Sailimu Lake Scenic Area is usually visited together with Guozigou Bridge, Huocheng Lavender, Horgos Port, and Yining City. Because: they are close and convenient!
Guozigou is the natural gateway to the Ili region. It is a famous canyon passage that goes north to Sayram Lake and south to the Ili River Valley. In ancient times, it was the throat of the northern new road of the Silk Road leading to Central Asia and Europe, and was called the "Iron Pass". It is also known as "the first scene of Ili" and "a wonderful fairyland" because of its pleasant scenery. The ancients wrote poems to praise it: "The wonder of the mountains and rivers is comparable to Guilin, and the strangeness of the cliffs is better than Yanyan."
Guozigou Bridge is the first double-tower, double-locked cable-stayed bridge in China, and is also the largest, most important and tallest bridge in Xinjiang.
The Guozigou Bridge has a net height of more than 200 meters from the bridge deck to the valley bottom. It is the core project of the Northern Xinjiang Grand Loop. The design is ingenious. The approach bridge winds through flowers and connects three high mountains into one, greatly saving the time for people in Yili to travel to Urumqi.
(Photography Network @Ming Mou Ren)
Once you reach Guozigou Bridge, you'll discover that it's incredibly spectacular no matter how you photograph it. If many beautiful sights are curves shaped by nature, then Guozigou Bridge is a testament to human engineering. Its graceful S-curve is spectacular, elegant, and natural, making it a perfect spot for photographing sunsets and starlit skies.
There are several vantage points for viewing the bridge: from below and above, so remember to roll down your car window to capture different aspects of the Guozigou Bridge. There's also a dedicated viewing platform on the old national highway, where you can get lucky and capture the sunset and Halo lights.
The Huocheng lavender producing area is located at the same latitude as Provence in France, and has similar climatic and soil conditions. It is China's largest lavender planting base and the hometown of lavender in China.
In fact, there are two viewing spots for Huocheng lavender. Most people go to Princess Jieyou Lavender Manor, while those who know more will go to Princess Jieyou Lavender Farm.
Lavender farms are more scenic than estates, and the lavender fields are larger. However, the viewing period on lavender farms is shorter than on estates because lavender is a cash crop and is harvested for essential oils and other products (harvest season is in late June). Lavender estates designed for tourists, on the other hand, do not harvest lavender, and the lavender season generally continues until late July or early August. The flowering period varies slightly from year to year, influenced by weather.
The lavender flowering period is from late May to late July. If you arrive in Xinjiang between late May and late June, it is recommended to visit a lavender farm. If you arrive in Xinjiang in July, you can visit a lavender manor to view the lavender.
Tips:
Princess Jieyou Lavender Farm
Ticket price: 35 yuan
Discount information: Free tickets for those under 6 years old or over 1.2 meters, seniors 70 years old and above, and disabled people; half-price tickets for active military personnel, teachers, full-time students, and seniors 60-70 years old.
Opening hours: Summer 9:00--21:00; Winter 10:00--18:00
Princess Jieyou Lavender Manor
Ticket price: 35 RMB in peak season / 17 RMB in off-season
Opening hours: 09:00-20:00 (March 1st-September 30th); 10:00-19:00 (October 1st-February 28th of the following year)
Tips:
1. Lavender farms, where local flower farmers or shops sell lavender products. It is not a compulsory shopping spot and is not recommended.
2. There is no entrance fee to view lavender on the highway, but you need to pay the farmer about 5-10 yuan to enter the farmland to visit and take pictures (some farmers will overcharge you, so it is recommended to negotiate the price in advance)
Horgos, which means "the place where camel caravans pass by" in Mongolian and "the place where wealth is accumulated" in Kazakh, has been an important post station on the northern route of the ancient Silk Road since ancient times. Located on the western border of China, Horgos Port is the top port in Xinjiang and the largest comprehensive land and railway port in Xinjiang. It faces Kazakhstan across the Horgos River.
Lightning avoidance tips:
1. Boundary monument ticket price: 30 yuan/person; the scenic area is rated 4A. You can only view it through a telescope from about 100 meters away, so there's nothing to see. You'll definitely regret it if you go in!
2. A passport is required to enter the China-Kazakhstan International Border Cooperation Center. If you do not have a passport, you will need to apply for a pass.
The Horgos Port Pass is available at the Administrative Service Center. You must bring your ID card and bank card. The processing fee is 20 yuan (cards only, cash not accepted). After completing the application, proceed to the China-Kazakhstan Cooperation Center's Joint Inspection Hall, queue for security, and enter. The pass is valid for a single entry and must be collected by staff upon exit. A new pass must be issued for re-entry. During peak season, you may have to wait in line, but the process takes about 30 minutes.
3. At the China-Kazakhstan International Border Cooperation Center, you can take a shuttle bus for one yuan per person, one way. This allows you to enter the duty-free area, or continue inside to the China-Kazakhstan New Gate, where another shuttle bus costs 30 yuan per person. It's just a short walk around the area, so I don't recommend it.
4. There's a currency exchange at the port, but be careful—it's Uzbek currency, not Kazakh. 2,000 yuan isn't worth two yuan.
5. Duty-free shopping is a shady business! The cigarettes are very cheap, and some say they're different versions, Korean and European... and the taste is different from what you buy in mainland China. Cosmetics—some are more expensive than in mainland China, while others are incredibly cheap, and it's impossible to tell the real from the fake. Buy with caution! I don't recommend going to the port market! If you absolutely have to bring something, try some Kazakh chocolate. You can also buy chocolate on Taobao.
Named one of China's ten most livable small and medium-sized cities by Southern People Weekly, Yining is a prime transit point for those heading to Sayram Lake, offering convenient transportation options including flights, trains, and passenger transport centers.
Yining Transportation
Yining Airport is located northeast of Yining City, 5km from the city center. Direct flights from Yining Airport include Urumqi, Nanjing, Xi'an, Chengdu, Karamay, Beijing, and Kanas.
Yining Railway Station, located approximately 5 km northwest of downtown Yining, is the largest station on the Jingyihuo Railway and the second-largest station in Xinjiang upon its completion. Intercity trains, tourist trains, direct express trains, and high-speed trains run frequently between Urumqi and Yining, providing convenient connections.
Ili Prefecture has convenient road access, with several large passenger stations within the city, including the Ili Prefecture Passenger Station and the Agricultural Fourth Division Passenger Station. Daily buses depart for and within the prefecture, mostly heading to Urumqi. A bus ticket from Urumqi to Yining costs 180 yuan.
Kazanqi Folk Tourism Area
The Kazanqi Folk Customs Tourism Area in Yining City is the only large-scale, pristine cultural tourist area in northern Xinjiang that focuses on Uyghur customs. It serves as a showcase for Ili's urban image and a vivid reflection of its ethnic customs. It encompasses the rich Uyghur culture of southern Xinjiang while retaining the unique folkways and customs of northern Xinjiang, creating a cheerful, vibrant, yet solemn experience.
(Picture from @LeaderTrueBeautiful)
The buildings in the Kazanchi Folk Tourism Area are rich in ethnic characteristics, ranging from European-style Russian architecture to local Uyghur architecture. The vibrant colors of these buildings, including blue, pink, and purple, make for beautiful photos, creating an exotic atmosphere without disturbing the locals.
(Photo from @小龙)
There are street vendors selling handmade yogurt, cherry juice, and other fruits, all at reasonable prices. It's a great place to experience ethnic minority life. I recommend trying the popular ice cream (which tastes different from mainland China), drinking a cup of kava, and eating a bowl of frozen yogurt. If you meet a welcoming host, you can even be invited inside to explore the surroundings. Every household is planted with fruit trees and grapevines, creating a lush greenery.
(Picture from @LeaderTrueBeautiful)
Tips:
Opening hours: Open all year round, 10:00~19:30
Ticket price: If you only want to stroll around the Folk Custom Park, it is free. However, if you want to visit ethnic minority families, eat free fruit and ice cream, and ride a horse carriage, you will need to pay a 150 yuan attraction fee.
Xinjiang experiences a significant temperature swing between day and night, and strong ultraviolet rays. Therefore, consider windproof, sunscreen, and warmth when choosing clothing. In addition to summer T-shirts, bring a sun-protective jacket or sun-protective clothing, and a windbreaker or fleece jacket for sunrise and sunset activities. Therefore, when traveling to Xinjiang, your suitcase should always contain clothing for all four seasons.
If you go to Xinjiang from May to August, you need to bring more T-shirts, skin-protective clothing (sun protection), and a three-piece outdoor suit (windbreaker, fleece jacket, thermal underwear). You need warm underwear and windbreaker pants, and both thick and thin socks.
If you're traveling to Xinjiang between September and April, remember to pack warm clothing. Besides a three-piece outdoor suit, you'll also need a down jacket. Also, a scarf, hat, and gloves are essential for warmth and a stylish look.
It is recommended that girls bring a skirt when going to Sailimu Lake and take photos by the lake!
Footwear is crucial when traveling to Xinjiang. While walking isn't a big deal, the temperature fluctuates greatly, so it's best to bring sneakers or outdoor shoes. Waterproof is best. Avoid sandals, high heels, or slippers; comfortable shoes will make the journey much easier.
For photography tours, outdoor shoes are essential. At sunrise and sunset, the grass is covered in dew, and sometimes you'll need to wade through water or shoot near water, so waterproof shoes are essential.
Also, bring a pair of slippers for use at the hotel; your own shoes will be more comfortable.
Essential skin care products include sunscreen or spray, lip cream, hand cream, and hydrating lotion; Xinjiang's climate is very dry, so beauty-conscious tourists can also bring a hydrating mask. Of course, sunglasses and a sun hat are absolutely not to be forgotten.
It would be a shame to not capture Xinjiang's stunning scenery with a camera. So, be sure to bring a camera, whether it's a compact or DSLR. Standard rooms in hotels throughout the trip are all equipped with charging points, and the yurts also have outlets, but they're limited, so we recommend bringing a small power strip.
Photography tours should definitely bring their own gear: a full-frame camera, three lenses (wide-angle 16-35mm, mid-focus 24-70mm, telephoto 70-200mm), a tripod, a gradient filter, a neutral density filter, a shutter cable, a charger, and memory cards. Flights are prohibited in some areas of Xinjiang, such as Baihaba and Kashgar, so those traveling by plane must be aware of these restrictions to avoid unnecessary trouble.
1. Rain gear (it's best to bring a waterproof jacket).
2. A small luggage bag (camera bag) is ideal.
3. Personal toiletries.
4. A thermos (the water in Xinjiang is quite hard, so it's best to drink boiled water at first).
5. Common medications for colds, stomach problems, etc.
As one of the "100 Magical Scenic Spots of Northwest China," Sayram Lake is well worth a visit to experience its past, present, and seasons. Nature has sprinkled its most beautiful colors in every corner of Sayram Lake. Standing by the lake, you'll feel like the sky is like the eternally tranquil lake, while the lake itself is like the ever-restless sky.
