Xinyuan Swan Lake, embark on an autumn romantic photo journey with black swans

Xinyuan Swan Lake is located in the eastern part of Nalati Town, Xinyuan County, Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture, about 30 kilometers from the county seat. It is one of the largest grassland lakes in Xinjiang. Here, you can find an ecological secret realm where black swans swim, as well as a city leisure scene illuminated by dazzling lights. Whether you are a nature lover or a travel photography enthusiast, you can find your exclusive joy here. This guide covers core information such as itinerary, experiences, food, and accommodation to help you unlock a perfect trip.

1. Core Information Overview

🕹️Specific Location: No. 099, Tianshan West Street, Xinyuan County, Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang
- Opening Hours: Open 24 hours a day; special events like the light show have specific times
- Ticket Information: No ticket required to enter the lake area; some experience projects charge separately
- Best Times:
- Daytime: 7:00-9:00 AM (soft light, high swan activity), 6:00-8:00 PM (rich light and shadow layers, ideal for silhouette photography)
- Nighttime: 10:30-10:45 PM (exclusive fountain light show time)

2. Must-Experience Activities

🏞️1. Nature and Ecology Tour

- Swan Watching: The lake is home to many swans and water birds. You can observe them up close along the lakeside boardwalk (maintain a safe distance of over 5 meters). In spring, you can see nesting scenes, and in winter, lively scenes of swans playing on the water.
- Lakeside Stroll: Walk along the wooden boardwalk and encounter landscapes where forest, grassland, and lake intertwine. The island in the middle of the lake is an excellent spot for photographing groups of swans, capturing beautiful scenes of swans surrounding the lake.
- Ecological Photography: Bring a telephoto lens to capture swans flapping their wings and swimming. Low-angle shots can show the depth and breadth of the lake, and backlighting can clearly reveal the texture of the swan feathers.

🌆2. Urban Leisure Experience

- Light Show Viewing: Every night at 10:30 PM, a 15-minute fountain light show is performed, combining music fountains, water screen movies, laser shows, and projection shows. The interplay of light and water creates a dreamy scene, a must-see for night photography.
- Family Interaction: The lake area has children’s play projects. During the day, you can take your kids to play on the lawn, and in the evening, enjoy a boat ride to feel the lake breeze and sunset glow.
- Leisure Time: There is a coffee rest area by the lake where you can order a drink, sit quietly, watch swans swim leisurely, and enjoy a relaxing moment.

🛤️3. Itinerary Planning Reference

1. One-Day Highlights Tour

- Morning (Ecological Exploration): Arrive at Swan Lake at 8:00 AM, first go to the island in the middle of the lake to photograph groups of swans, then stroll along the boardwalk to capture the layered beauty of the forest and lake, focusing on the lively swan postures in the morning light.
- Noon (Food Replenishment): Head to Xinyuan County for a meal. Recommended local specialties include hand-pulled rice, baked buns, and lamb skewers, paired with rich milk tea to refresh your appetite.
- Afternoon (In-Depth Photography): Use side lighting to shoot the three-dimensional sense of the lake and grassland. Try different angles such as low-angle and high-angle shots, and use a wide-angle lens to capture panoramic views of the lake and mountains.
- Evening (Night Scene Feast): Return to the lake area before 10:00 PM, find a good spot to watch the light show, and use long exposure to capture the dynamic trails of the fountain and light.

🎡2. Surrounding Linked Tour (2 days 1 night)

- Day 1: Arrive at Xinyuan County → Daytime visit to Swan Lake → Dinner in the county → Evening light show viewing → Stay overnight in a county hotel.
- Day 2: Depart from Xinyuan County to Nalati Grassland (about 1-hour drive), experience horseback riding, flower viewing on the grassland, and feel the nomadic culture, then return in the evening.

🚗4. Transportation and Accommodation Guide

1. Transportation

- External Arrival:
- Airplane: Preferably choose Nalati Airport (about 1-hour drive from Xinyuan County) or Yining Airport (about 4 hours by car transfer).
- Bus: There are direct long-distance buses from Urumqi Nianzigou Bus Station to Xinyuan County, about 8 hours by bus.
- Internal Travel:
- Take a taxi or charter a car within the county to Swan Lake, about 30 minutes by car, convenient transportation.
- Parking Suggestion: You can park at the dedicated parking lot south of Xia'erbulake Town, which is close to the lake area.

2. Accommodation Recommendations

- Cost-effective Options: Ili Xinyuan Hongrui Hotel (well-equipped, near the lake area), Xinjiang Xinyuan Xinshengda Hotel (excellent location, quiet environment).
- Discount Reference: City convenience hotels often offer weekend special deals, some include free fruit, yogurt, and other services; check in advance.
- Tips: During peak season (June to August), it is recommended to book accommodation 1-2 weeks in advance to avoid no room availability.

📋5. Practical Tips and Precautions

1. Equipment Preparation: Photography enthusiasts are advised to bring telephoto lenses (70-200mm) for swan close-ups and wide-angle lenses for panoramas; bring sun hats and sunglasses in summer, windproof and warm clothing in winter, and always have a jacket for large temperature differences between day and night.
2. Ecological Protection: It is strictly forbidden to feed swans, fish in the lake, or litter. Maintain a safe distance when watching to avoid disturbing the water birds’ habitat.
3. Pitfall Reminder: There are few dining options around the scenic area and prices are relatively high, so bring snacks to satisfy hunger; strong ultraviolet rays at high altitude require sunscreen, which is sold at a high price in the scenic area.
4. Signal and Emergency: Some areas of the lake have weak mobile signals; it is recommended to download offline maps in advance and arrange important matters beforehand.

The charm of Xinyuan Swan Lake lies in encountering nature’s spirits by day and embracing the dreamlike light and shadow by night. Following this guide, you can capture the elegant posture of swans and preserve romantic memories under the lights, making your Ili trip more textured.