Travel Guide to Salimu Lake, Xinjiang?
Basic information?
Location: 160 kilometers away from Yili City?
Tickets: Winter tickets are half-price, 35 yuan per person; self-drive tour service fee is 75 yuan per person, valid for 48 hours, with multiple entries allowed into the scenic area.?
Distance around the lake: 90 kilometers?
Best travel season?
Winter (December to February): Blue ice viewing season, with fewer people and beautiful scenery, a must-visit for ice and snow lovers.?
Summer (June to August): Flower blooming season, with grassland flower seas and silver snow-capped mountains forming an interesting contrast.?
Recommended highlights?
Moon Bay: The first scenic spot entering Salimu Lake Scenic Area from the East Gate, with an open view and a clear reflection of snow-capped mountains in the lake, suitable for taking highway photos.?
Qinshuitan (Waterside Beach): You can closely interact with swans. Winter scenery photos are romantic and picturesque.?
S-shaped Bay Highway: The best location for taking highway photos, a popular spot near the South Gate.?
Keleyongzhu (Gushing Pearl Spring): In winter, you can see crystal-clear ice piles. In summer, strolling along the plank road by the lake is extremely healing. It is the only scenic spot in Salimu Lake that does not freeze in winter.?
Songshutou (Pine Tree Hill): It takes 30 minutes to hike to the top, where you can overlook the panoramic view of Salimu Lake and the Guozigou Bridge. In summer, you can also enjoy the purple Xihai Grassland all over the mountain.?
Dianjiangtai (Commanding Heights): There is an aobao (sacred mound) with a diameter of 13 meters, surrounded by colorful hada scarves. You can feel the historical atmosphere of Genghis Khan leading his army west.?
Photo opportunity recommendations?
Counterclockwise lake route: Take the counterclockwise route around the lake from the entrance for a better visual experience.?
Sunrise viewing: On a sunny day, you can see the pink sunrise illuminating the golden mountains, which can be viewed near the entrance.?
Snow-capped mountains that never melt: Take photos in the eastern area of the lake, capturing the flowing sense of snow-capped mountains and lake water in the frame.?
East Gate Visitor Center: Park about 5 minutes after entering the east gate, walk along the plank road to the lakeside, and enjoy the sunset scenery of snow-capped mountains, grasslands, and windmills.?
Tips?
Self-drive tours are extremely cost-effective: Unlimited entry and exit within 48 hours, freely explore every beautiful scenery of the lake.?
Sunscreen and warmth: Pay attention to sunscreen, wear sunscreen clothes and masks when taking photos; the temperature difference between morning and night is large, so bring a thin down jacket.?
Interact with swans: Bring some small bread, and the swans will surround you.?
Salimu Lake is considered comparable to the sea for its color and expanse, and is one of the most beautiful lakes in Xinjiang. Whether it’s the blue ice wonders of winter or the grassland flower sea of summer, they all make people reluctant to leave. I hope this guide can help you better plan your itinerary and enjoy the beauty and tranquility of Salimu Lake.?