Sayram Lake is absolutely stunning!

Here's a travel guide for Sayram Lake:

Pre-Trip Preparation

- Documents: Bring ID cards, student IDs, senior citizen cards, etc. to enjoy ticket discounts.

- Clothing: Summer has large day-night temperature differences, pack thick jackets; winter requires down coats, snow boots, scarves, gloves and other warm clothing.

- Sun protection: Strong UV rays, prepare high-SPF sunscreen, sunglasses, and sun hats.

- Medicine: Common medications like cold medicine, stomach medicine, motion sickness pills, etc.

Transportation Guide

- External transport: Fly directly to Urumqi or Yining, then transfer by bus or chartered car; alternatively, self-drive from Urumqi via Lianhuo Highway (~550 km, ~6 hours).

- Internal transport: Self-driving recommended within the scenic area. East Gate allows entry/exit, North Gate exit only with next-day re-entry, South Gate exit only. Non-drivers can take shuttle buses: off-season first/last at 10:00/18:00 (hourly), peak season every 15 mins before 12:00 and every 10 mins after.

Ticket Information

Peak season (Apr 1-Oct 31): ¥100/person; off-season (Nov 1-Mar 31): ¥60/person. Free/half-price for children under 6/1.2m, disabled persons, military with certificates; half-price for seniors over 60 and students with ID. Couples married in 2025 get free entry with marriage certificates.

Itinerary

Enter at East Gate, exit at South Gate, counterclockwise route: Moon Bay → Santai Grassland → Borhan Mountain → Waterside Beach → North Gate → Film City → Khan Bend → General's Platform → Swan Paradise → West Sea Grassland → Kelley Spring → Golden Sand Purple Flowers → Pine Tree Head → South Gate.

Attractions

- Viral S-curve: Jewel-blue waters, classic photo spot.

- Pine Tree Head: 2000-step wooden path overlooks entire lake.

- Kelley Spring: Concentrated springs, "ice bubbles" in winter.

- Moon Bay: Crescent-shaped with sailboats, go-karts, etc.

Accommodation

- Scenic area entrance: Many hotels/B&Bs like Sayram Lake Milky Sea B&B for convenience.

- Camping: Book fixed campsites like transparent dome rooms at General's Platform Starlight Camp or Mongolian yurts at Seven Stars Camp.

- Outside: Budget hotels (¥150-300/night) in Qingshuihe Town (30-min drive); luxury hotels in Bole/Yining for long trips.

Food Recommendations

- Lake specialties: High-white salmon (sashimi, pan-fried, stewed), Spanish mackerel ball soup.

- Xinjiang cuisine: Lamb skewers, pilaf, baked buns, Tujia big plate chicken, mixed noodles.

- Snacks: Kumaiqi (flatbread) with wild leek sauce, lavender handmade ice cream, yogurt rice dumplings.

Notes

- Drones prohibited; register at East Gate police station if needed.

- No littering to protect the ecosystem.

- Swim only in marked areas; lake water is extremely cold.