Swapping Spring｜Spring at Sayram Lake | Dive into the Sea of Flowers at Sayram Lake!!

|Dive into the sea of flowers at Sayram Lake!!. A super detailed travel guide to Sayram Lake✨ The last teardrop of the Atlantic, Sayram Lake in Xinjiang, is truly worth a visit! This guide will teach you how to explore Sayram Lake. Save it for later! Preparation - Documents: ID card, various discount certificates (if any) - Clothing: The temperature difference between day and night is significant. From May to October, you can wear light summer clothes during the day, but bring a thick coat or jacket for mornings and evenings. From November to April of the following year, be sure to bring enough warm clothes, such as down jackets, snow boots, and thick scarves. - Other items: High SPF sunscreen, sunglasses, hat (for sun protection or warmth), moisturizing skincare products, motion sickness medicine (optional). If you plan to camp, you need to make a reservation in advance on the mini program. Transportation 1. Self-drive: Depart from Bole City and drive west along the G30 Lianhuo Expressway for about 90 km. May to October is the best season for self-driving. Set your navigation to the east gate of [Sayram Lake Scenic Area]. Currently, the road from the south gate to the west gate is under construction. It is recommended to enter through the east gate and drive clockwise around the lake. Note that the speed limit within the scenic area is 50 km/h. A single-day self-driving ticket is 143 yuan/person (valid for 24 hours), and a 2-day ticket is 190 yuan/person (valid for 48 hours). Exchange your ticket at the self-service machine at the east gate. 2. Public transportation: - From Urumqi: Take the high-speed train to Bortala (about 3.5 hours, 103 yuan), then transfer to a bus to Sayram Lake (about 1 hour, 20 yuan); or take an overnight bus directly to Bole (about 6 hours, 120 yuan), then take a shared car to Sayram Lake (about 50 yuan/person). - From Yining: You can charter a car (about 2.5 hours, about 160 km), or take a bus from the Yili Prefecture Passenger Transport Center (about 2 hours, 60 yuan, departure times: 08:30, 09:00, 10:30). 3. Transportation within the scenic area: - Sightseeing bus: 75 yuan/person, valid for 48 hours. Board at the waiting area of the visitor center. The bus goes around the lake, with departures every 10 minutes. The first bus is at 09:45 and the last bus is at 20:00. - Self-drive: After purchasing a self-driving service ticket, you can drive into the scenic area and explore freely. Ticket Information - Tickets are 70 yuan/person and can be purchased on the official account "One Mobile Phone Tour Sayram Lake" or on-site. - Special group policy: Free admission for people aged 65 (inclusive) and above, 6 years old (inclusive) and below, and height 1.3 meters (inclusive) and below. Seniors aged 65 (inclusive) and above need to bring their ID cards to the offline window to exchange for a free ticket. Must-See Attractions 1. Pine Tree Head: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 The highest point of Sayram Lake. Climb the winding wooden boardwalk to the top to enjoy a panoramic view of Sayram Lake, the distant snow-capped mountains, and the Guozigou Bridge. In summer, the mountains are covered with small yellow flowers, making it a perfect spot for taking photos. You can also bring a drone to capture stunning panoramic views. 2. S-shaped Highway: 🌟🌟🌟🌟 The lighting is excellent around 4 pm, with the snow-capped mountains in the background, creating a great atmosphere for photos. However, traffic police sometimes patrol the area, so pay attention to safety and follow the rules when taking photos. 3. Kereyongzhu: 🌟🌟🌟 The beautiful Silver Moon Embankment is a classic check-in spot. It's the only place that doesn't freeze in winter, with spring water gushing out. It's also a gathering place for swans. Wearing a white dress here makes for stunning photos. 4. Lakeside Beach: 🌟🌟🌟 You can get close to the water (note that wild swimming is prohibited from 2025). If you're lucky, you can interact with swans. The surrounding area is a sea of flowers, and the afternoon sunlight is perfect for taking photos. 5. Moon Bay: The first attraction after entering the scenic area from the east gate. It's named after its crescent moon shape. You can see snow-capped mountains, grasslands, and windmills. You can also experience activities such as sailing, karting, horse riding, and camel riding. It's a great place to watch the sunset. 6. Dianjiangtai: There is an Ovoo with a diameter of 13 meters, covered with colorful Hada. You can feel the historical atmosphere of Genghis Khan's western expedition. There is also the only restaurant in the middle and latter part of the scenic area nearby. Tour Route Planning - One-day tour: East Gate - Moon Bay - Lakeside Beach - S-shaped Highway - Pine Tree Head - Kereyongzhu - Dianjiangtai - South Gate exit (just in time for sunset) - Two-day tour: - Day 1: East Gate - Moon Bay - Santai Grassland - Lakeside Beach - Film and Television City - Dianjiangtai - West Sea Grassland. Stay in a RV or stargazing cabin within the scenic area at night and enjoy the starry sky. - Day 2: Kereyongzhu - Pine Tree Head - Lake Center Island - South Gate exit. Slowly experience the beauty of Sayram Lake at different times of the day. You can also get up early to watch the sunrise. Food Recommendations - Inside the scenic area: You can try grilled Sayram Lake whitefish, but the restaurants in the scenic area are expensive. It is recommended to bring your own self-heating hot pot, instant noodles, Nang, bread, and other food. - Outside the scenic area: Visit nearby towns to taste Xinjiang specialties, such as barbecue, La Tiao Zi (pulled noodles), hand pilaf, and baked buns. Accommodation Recommendations - Outside the scenic area: Hotels are concentrated near the east gate, with relatively affordable prices and more choices. You can also consider staying in Bole City, Yining City, and other surrounding cities for more accommodation options. - Inside the scenic area: There are RVs and stargazing cabins at Lakeside Beach, Dianjiangtai, and West Sea Grassland, allowing you to experience the night of Sayram Lake up close. However, the prices are higher and reservations are required. The RV campsite at Dianjiangtai offers stunning views of the Milky Way at night. Important Notes 1. Drone flights need to be reported through the official account "One Mobile Phone Tour Sayram Lake" or filled out on-site at the east gate entrance. Drones are prohibited from flying near the lake surface, otherwise, you will be fined. 2. Bring cash, as the signal in some areas of the mountains is poor and mobile payment may not be convenient. 3. Do not buy so-called "blue ice fragments" sold by herders, as they are mostly fake plastic. 4. Protect the natural environment, do not litter, walk on designated paths, and do not trample on the lawn.