Sayram Lake is a very famous tourist attraction in the Yili region, renowned for its clear water and beautiful natural scenery. Below is a detailed introduction to Sayram Lake:?
Basic Information:?
Sayram Lake is located in Bole City, Bortala Mongol Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. It was anciently known as "Jinghai". It is situated in the Northern Tianshan Mountains, with a lake surface elevation of 2,071 meters, an area of 458 square kilometers, and a water storage capacity of 21 billion cubic meters. The lake water is clear and transparent, with a transparency of 12 meters.?
Natural Scenery:?
Sayram Lake is known as a "fairyland on earth" with clear and blue water, surrounded by snow-capped mountains and vast grasslands. On the grasslands by the lake, cattle and sheep graze leisurely, with distant snow-capped mountains reflecting in the lake, forming a breathtaking picture.?
The scenic areas along the lake and the grassland nomadic customs areas each have their unique characteristics, making visitors reluctant to leave. In particular, attractions such as Moon Bay and Dianjiangtai are favorite spots for tourists to take photos and check in.?
Travel Tips:?
Sayram Lake has a circumference of 92 kilometers, and it takes at least 4 hours to drive around it. There are three gates: East, South, and North. The East Gate is the main entrance of the scenic area, with complete facilities and abundant accommodation options. The South Gate leads to the best viewing platform for Guozigou but only allows exit. The North Gate leads to hot springs, making it very pleasant to soak in hot springs and enjoy snowy scenery in winter.?
The recommended tour route is to enter from the East Gate and proceed counterclockwise, which will allow visitors to smoothly travel to Guozigou and avoid peak crowds.?
The ticket price is 145 yuan per person, with repeated entry and exit allowed within 24 hours. Key attractions include Songshutou, S-curve Highway, Keleyongzhu, Dianjiangtai, and Xihai Grassland.?
Transportation and Accommodation:?
Self-driving is a common way to get to Sayram Lake, but attention should be paid to road conditions and safety. Driving from Urumqi to Sayram Lake takes at least 5 hours, while it is more convenient to depart from Yining, which takes only 2 hours by car.?
In terms of accommodation, during the peak season, visitors can choose to stay in Wenquan County or at a herdsman’s home. During the off-season, they can experience a Kazakh yurt directly at a herdsman’s home.?
Unique Experiences:?
Sayram Lake not only boasts charming natural scenery but also offers a wealth of unique experiences. For example, in winter, visitors can admire blue ice and falling snow, while in summer, they can enjoy a tulip flower sea and the golden blanket of birch forests.?
In addition, visitors can try picnicking, horse riding, and other outdoor activities by the lake to feel the tranquility and grandeur of nature.?
In summary, Sayram Lake is one of the must-visit tourist attractions in the Yili region. Whether it’s natural scenery or unique experiences, it will captivate visitors and make them reluctant to leave.?