Explore Xinjiang’s Off-the-Beaten-Path Slow Travel Route｜Healing Time in Hot Springs

In June at Sayram Lake, don’t just rush through｜I cycled around the lake, soaked in border hot springs, visited a Xibe family for milk tea—this is the true way to enjoy summer in Xinjiang

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Have you ever seen Sayram Lake at 5 a.m.?
The lake surface looks like a freshly polished sapphire,
A thin mist gently floats on the water, and the distant snow-capped mountains reflect clearly like a mirror.
A swan glides across the ripples, waking the entire grassland.

And I just quietly sat by the lake,
Waiting for the sun to slowly rise from the Borokonu Ridge—
At that moment, I knew:
This summer, my trip was worth it.

This time, we won’t take the fast “Urumqi → Sayram Lake → Yining” loop,
Instead, we slow down the pace, savor the scenery,
And complete a truly leisurely route for lifestyle lovers:
“Sayram Lake + Hot Springs + Grassland Slow Travel”
Not just sightseeing, but living within the scenery.

📍 Route Overview
Urumqi → Sayram Lake (lake circuit experience) → Wenquan County (geothermal hot spring healing) → Guozigou Bridge viewpoint → Huocheng Lavender → Yining Liuxing Street → Chabuchar Xibe Ethnic Folk Town → Return to Urumqi
🗓 Recommended duration: 7-8 days｜🚴 Slow pace · Light vacation · Deep cultural experience｜💰 Budget: 4000–5500 RMB/person
🌤 Best season: June – August (green grass, blooming flowers, bluest Sayram Lake water)

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1-2】Urumqi → Sayram Lake｜Stay lakeside, ride into a fairytale
✅ Arrive at Sayram Lake in the afternoon, choose accommodation near the South or East Gate (avoid crowds at the North Gate Visitor Center)
- Options: RV campsite / lakeside guesthouse / upscale tent hotel (some with private bathrooms)

🚴 Core activity: cycle around the lake or drive slowly
- About 30 km total, private cars allowed in the scenic area (open since 2023)
- Recommended route: enter South Gate → Dianjiangtai → Songshutou → Kele Yongzhu → exit East Gate

📷 Must-capture moments:
- “Lake light and snow color” before and after sunrise (snow mountains reflecting on the lake)
- Evening S-shaped road backlit cycling silhouette
- Nighttime Milky Way spanning the lake (no light pollution area)

🔥 Bonus experiences:
- Join lakeside morning yoga classes (offered at some campsites)
- Camping stargazing + bonfire party (summer-only events)

🏨 Stay in unique accommodations inside Sayram Lake Scenic Area｜Approx. 400–600 RMB/night (seasonal fluctuation)

💡 Reminder: It’s windy by the lake with significant temperature differences between morning and night, be sure to bring a windbreaker!

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3】Sayram Lake → Wenquan County｜Soak in a border town’s geothermal hot springs
✅ Drive about 1.5 hours east to Wenquan County (China’s only county named “Hot Springs”)
- Located on the China-Kazakhstan border, rich in underground hot water resources, historically a health resort

♨️ Recommended experiences:
- Shengquan Mountain Villa or Western Rare Plant Garden Hot Spring Hall: natural sulfur springs, great for relieving fatigue
- Family-style hot spring inns: more down-to-earth, affordable (¥80–150/person)

📌 Fun fact: The local Mongolian people call this place “Arishang,” meaning “holy hot spring water,” said to cure many ailments.

✅ Evening visit to the county night market: try authentic handmade yogurt, baked buns, and milk skin

🏨 Stay at Wenquan County hot spring-themed hotel｜Rooms with indoor soaking pools｜Approx. 350 RMB

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🌉【Day 4】Wenquan → Guozigou Bridge Viewpoint → Huocheng Lavender → Yining
✅ Morning visit to Guozigou Bridge viewpoint (free parking and photo spot)
- Admire this “natural barrier turned thoroughfare” mega project, with a deep canyon and a bridge like a silver dragon piercing the clouds
- A drone launch spot with breathtaking aerial footage

✅ Arrive at Huocheng Lavender Estate by noon (recommended near Princess Jieyou and Han Princess Memorial Halls)
- Peak bloom from late June to mid-July, purple flower sea swaying in the breeze
- Try making sachets and tasting lavender tea

📸 Photo tips:
- Wear a white long dress for a French countryside vibe
- Use telephoto lens to compress the flower field and distant mountains in one frame

✅ Arrive in Yining by evening, stay at Liuxing Street boutique guesthouse

🏨 Stay at Yining Liuxing Street artsy guesthouse｜With terrace views of the mosque｜Approx. 300 RMB

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👩‍🌾【Day 5】Yining → Chabuchar Xibe Autonomous County｜Step into the last mounted archery ethnic group
✅ Only 30 minutes from Yining, visit Chabuchar Xibe ancient city & folk village
- The Xibe are descendants of the Xianbei who migrated here during the Qing dynasty border defense, preserving unique language, script, and archery culture

🎯 Must-do activities:
- Archery lesson: draw a traditional composite bow under professional guidance
- Make Xibe big flatbread: charcoal oven baked, crispy outside and soft inside
- Visit Xibe Folk Museum: learn about the Westward Migration Festival (every lunar April 18)

🏡 Deep recommendation: arrange a visit to a local family, drink salty milk tea, listen to Dongbula music, and chat about daily life
(Can be arranged through travel agencies or guesthouse hosts)

🏨 Day trip from Yining, no overnight stay needed

📌 Cultural trivia: Xibe script is a continuation of Manchu script, with fewer than a thousand fluent speakers nationwide.

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🚘【Day 6-7】Yining → Urumqi｜Complete the loop
✅ Return via Lianhuo Expressway, about 6 hours total
- Stop at Jinghe service area for rest and buy local specialties like goji berries and black goji berries

✅ After arriving in Urumqi, end your trip at the International Grand Bazaar Food Street:
- Must-eats: red willow grilled meat, handmade yogurt, pomegranate juice, Bahali cake

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Budget Breakdown (per person):

Item Cost
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Round-trip transport (train/flight) ¥1000–1800
Car rental/carpool (including fuel and tolls) ¥2000
Accommodation (7 nights avg. ¥350) ¥2450
Tickets + activities (bike rental, hot springs, archery, etc.) ¥500
Food + souvenirs (lavender products, Xibe cultural crafts, dried fruits) ¥600
Total ¥4000–5500

> 💬Note: Choosing upscale accommodation (e.g., Sayram Lake tent hotel) can raise the budget to ¥6500.

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🌟 Why is this route called the “Ultimate Leisure Combo”?

> Because it perfectly combines three ideal holiday elements:

✅ Natural beauty × Mind-body healing
Sayram Lake refreshes your eyes, Wenquan County relaxes your body—a true “body and mind spa.”

✅ Off-the-beaten-path experience × Ethnic warmth
From Xibe archery to family visits, you’re no longer a spectator but briefly part of their lives.

✅ Free pace × High photo potential
No rush, plenty of time daily to daydream, take photos, and write journals—perfect for couples, families, and friends.

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📌 Action suggestions:

🎯 If you are:
- Looking for a “relaxed yet quality” Xinjiang trip → This route is easy and rich
- A lifestyle lover who enjoys cycling, photography, and soaking in hot springs → Sayram Lake + hot springs = double healing
- Curious about ethnic minority culture in the city → The Xibe are your most accessible and touching choice

🔥 Best travel time:
Late June to mid-July: lavender in full bloom, Sayram Lake water is blue, comfortable temperatures (around 22°C daytime)

Book your stay now!
Especially accommodations inside Sayram Lake,
Weekends in July usually sell out about a month in advance.

This summer,
Don’t let Sayram Lake become a “just passing glance” regret.
Please stay,
Cycle around the lake, soak in the spring,
And say to a Xibe grandma, “Thank you, your milk tea is delicious.”

That will be your Xinjiang memory.