Sayram Lake & Nalati Grassland 4-Day Tour

🌄 Xinjiang 4-Day Self-Drive Itinerary: Immersive Experience of Sayram Lake・Guozigou Valley・Six-Star Street・Nalati (Train + Self-Drive Edition) 📅 Itinerary Overview Route: Ürümqi → Yining (by train) → Sayram Lake → Guozigou Bridge → Nalati Grassland → Six-Star Street → Ürümqi 🌟 Daily Itinerary Details Day 1: Ürümqi → Yining (Overnight Train) 📍 Transportation Guide: Recommended train K9789 (departs Ürümqi Station at 21:42, arrives at Yining Station at 07:00 next day). Hard sleeper approx. ¥152/person, soft sleeper ¥233/person. Day 2: Yining → Sayram Lake → Guozigou Bridge → Yining 📍 Attraction Addresses: Sayram Lake: Sayram Lake Scenic Area, Bole City, Bortala Mongol Autonomous Prefecture Guozigou Bridge: Guozigou Scenic Area, Huocheng County, Ili 🚗 Transportation Guide: Pick up rental car at Yining Station (recommend booking SUV in advance). Drive west via Lianhuo Expressway for ~2h14min to Sayram Lake. Return to Yining via same route (~300km, ~4.5h drive). 👍️ Highlights: Sayram Lake: ① Lake Circuit Drive: Key stops - Swan Paradise (photograph swans), General's Platform (panoramic views), Kelleyongzhu (crystal-clear streams). ② Hidden Gems: Start from South Gate counterclockwise to avoid crowds. Golden lotus and dandelions bloom along lakeshore in June. Guozigou Bridge: ① Panoramic Shot: Navigate to "Guozigou Viewpoint Resort", walk to wooden platform for canyon-spanning bridge shots. ② Cliff Perspective: Right platform at 4th parking lot for portraits with bridge backdrop. 🎟️ Tickets: Sayram Lake self-drive pass ¥144/car (24hr unlimited entry), Guozigou free. 💗 Tips: Large temperature swings & strong UV at Sayram Lake. Bring windproof jacket, sunglasses & sunscreen. Day 3: Yining → Nalati Grassland → Six-Star Street 📍 Attraction Addresses: Nalati Grassland: Nalati Scenic Area, Nalati Town, Xinyuan County, Ili Six-Star Street: 200m west of Jiangsu Rd & Gongren St intersection, Yining 🚗 Transportation Guide: Drive east via Yiruo Highway for ~3h21min to Nalati (East Gate is self-drive entrance). Return to Yining (~3.5h drive). 👍️ Highlights: Nalati Grassland: ① Sky Grassland: Heavenly Terrace, Nomadic Family (hold lambs). ② Dragon Valley: Soaring Dragon (aerial S-curve road), Lying Ox Hill (valley forest hike). Six-Star Street: ① Cultural Experience: Alexander Accordion Museum. ② Food Stops: Gulandanmu Ice Cream (pistachio flavor ¥10/scoop), Gaxiangzi Fen Soup (¥25 set with fried bread), Black Ram BBQ (grilled meat with kvass). ③ Nightlife: Ethnic dance battles at dusk, transforming into night market with accordion music and roast bun aromas. 🎟️ Tickets: Nalati ¥95/person + ¥200/car, Six-Star Street free. 💗 Tips: Weak signal at Nalati - download offline maps. Visit Six-Star Street at dusk for soft light & fewer crowds. Wear bright colors for photos. Day 4: Yining → Ürümqi (Return) 📍 Transportation Guide: Train return: Recommended C850 to C854 (departs Yining 09:50, arrives Ürümqi 16:19, 6h29min, ~¥144/person second class). Self-drive return: ~680km via Lianhuo Expressway (~8h), detour to free Jinghe Goji Berry Farm. 🎟️ Tickets: Jinghe Goji Berry Farm free. 💗 Tips: Train return ideal for relaxation (good for bulky luggage). Early start recommended for self-drivers - lunch stop in Kuytun for famous Shawan Big Plate Chicken. 💰Transport Budget: Ürümqi-Yining roundtrip train (hard sleeper) ¥304/person + SUV rental (~¥500/day) ≈ ¥1304/person total. Accommodation: Yining: Ili Hotel (garden-style, ¥500-800/night). Nalati: Trip.com Farmstay (grassland view, ¥800-1200/night). Food Map: Sayram Lake: High-altitude whitefish soup, baked buns. Nalati: Hand-torn lamb, kumis (fermented mare's milk). Six-Star Street: Artisan ice cream, bauyrsaq (fried dough), fen soup. Safety Notes: Pack for all seasons due to temperature swings. Observe mountain speed limits - check Duku Highway status in advance. 📸 Photography Guide Sayram Lake: 7am backlit swans at Swan Paradise, 9pm sunset at General's Platform. Guozigou Bridge: Wide-angle for full bridge, telephoto for tower details. Six-Star Street: Low-angle colorful houses, wide aperture for vibrant ice cream. Nalati: Drone shots of Dragon Valley S-curves, telephoto compression of snow mountains & flower fields. 📝Important Notes: Vehicle prep: Check tires, brakes, antifreeze - SUV recommended (some gravel roads). Fuel: Gas stations in Yining, Nalati Town & Sayram Lake service area - fill up elsewhere in advance.