The travel guide for Nalati and Sayram Lake mainly includes the best travel time, must-visit attractions, itinerary planning, and food recommendations.?
I. Best Travel Time?
Xinjiang is vast, and the best travel times vary in different regions. For Nalati and Sayram Lake, May to October is a suitable period for visiting. From May to June, the grasslands in the Yili region are lush and wildflowers bloom in competition, while the ice and snow on Sayram Lake begin to melt, making it an excellent time to enjoy the natural scenery. From July to August, temperatures rise, fruits and vegetables ripen, making it suitable for tasting local cuisine; it is also the peak season for visiting these attractions, but there are relatively more tourists. From September to October, autumn in Xinjiang is colorful and a paradise for photographers.?
II. Must-Visit Attractions?
Nalati Grassland: Located in the hinterland of the Tianshan Mountains and the eastern end of the Yili River Valley, it features vast grasslands, dense forests, and majestic snowy mountains. Here, you can ride horses freely, experience Kazak folk culture, such as participating in traditional activities like sheep stealing and horse racing, and taste roast whole sheep, hand-grabbed meat, and other delicacies.?
Sayram Lake: The largest alpine lake in Xinjiang, known as ‘The Last Tear of the Atlantic’. The lake water is clear and blue, surrounded by snowy mountains. You can take a walk by the lake, go horseback riding, or drive around the lake to enjoy the lake and mountain scenery. From May to June each year, wildflowers bloom by the lake, decorating the entire lakeside like a sea of flowers.?
III. Itinerary Planning?
You can choose to drive or take public transportation to Nalati and Sayram Lake. Taking a 5-day tour as an example, you can arrange the itinerary as follows:?
D1: Arrive in Urumqi and take a short rest.?
D2: Depart from Urumqi and head to Sayram Lake, enjoy the lake and mountain scenery, and stay overnight in Yining.?
D3: Depart from Yining, visit Nalati Grassland, experience Kazak folk culture, and stay overnight in Nalati Town or surrounding areas.?
D4: Continue to explore Nalati Grassland in depth, or visit nearby attractions such as Bayinbuluke Swan Lake.?
D5: Return to Urumqi and end the trip?
Of course, the specific itinerary needs to be adjusted according to personal interests and time.?
IV. Food Recommendations?
Around Nalati and Sayram Lake, you can taste a variety of Xinjiang cuisine. For example, Nalati’s roast whole sheep, mare’s milk, yogurt lumps, and other specialty foods; around Sayram Lake, there are cold-water fish such as Coregonus peled, with delicious meat. In addition, you can also taste local specialties such as Haba River Big Plate Chicken, hand-grabbed rice, and mutton skewers.?
Above is the travel guide for Nalati and Sayram Lake, hoping it will be helpful for your trip.?