Detailed travel guide to Bosten Lake Scenic Area

📍Location: Bohu County, Bayinguoleng Mongol Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang, about 60 kilometers away from Korla City🚗, it is the largest inland freshwater lake in China🌊. ------ 1. Traffic Guide🚗 1. How to get there: • Plane✈️: Fly to Korla Airport first, then rent a car/charter a car to the scenic area (about 1 hour drive). • Self-driving🚗: From Urumqi, take the G314 National Highway, which is about a 5-hour drive; from Korla, take the G218, which is about an hour away. • Public transportation🚌: There are shuttle buses from Korla Bus Station to Bohu County, and then take a taxi to the scenic area (about 15 minutes). 2. Transportation within the scenic area: • The distances between the various attractions are quite far, so it is recommended to drive yourself or charter a car (about 300-500 yuan/day). In some areas, you can rent an electric car 🔋 or ride a bicycle 🚴‍♂️. ------ 2. Best time to travel 🌈 • June-October: The lake water is warm in summer, suitable for water activities 🏊‍♂️; the reeds are golden in autumn and the scenery is beautiful 🍂. • Avoid winter ❄️ (November-March): It’s cold and some facilities are closed. ------ 3. Recommended must-see attractions🏞️ 1. Dahekou Scenic Area (Xihai Fishing Village)🏖️ • Highlights✨: Beach 🏖️, Water Park 🏊‍♀️, Observation Deck 👀 overlooking the lake. • Activities 🎢: Jet ski 🚤, speed boat 🚤, fishing 🎣, and sunset photography in the evening 🌅. • Ticket price: 45 yuan/person, some water activities are charged separately. 2. Lotus Sea World (Ahongkou Scenic Area)🌸 • Highlights✨: Ten thousand acres of wild water lilies🌸, wetland migratory birds (egrets🐦, swans🦢). • Activities: Take a boat tour of the reed marshes (ticket is about 60 yuan), best for photography in autumn. 3. Bailuzhou Scenic Area🐦 • Highlights✨: The desert 🏜️ blends with the lake, and you can experience sand sliding and desert off-roading 🏎️. • Tips💡: You need to drive in, as some sections of the road are sandy. 4. Golden Beach Scenic Area🏖️ • Highlight✨: Xinjiang’s “Little Sanya” is suitable for swimming🏊‍♂️ and beach camping⛺️. • Ticket price: about 40 yuan/person, water activities are open in summer. ------ 4. Accommodation recommendations🏨 1. Near the scenic spot: • Dahekou Hotel🏨: Built by the lake, with a view from the window (about 500-800 yuan/night in peak season). • Lotus Sea World B&B🏡: Experience the fishing style at affordable prices (200-400 yuan/night). 2. Korla City: • With more choices, it is recommended to stay near the Peacock River (such as Licheng Garden Hotel 🌸) to facilitate the return trip the next day. ------ 5. Special food 🍽️ 1. Bohu Fish Banquet🐟: Must try "Wudaohei" (braised/steamed), pepper and salt pond smelt🐟. 2. Xinjiang flavor: grilled lamb skewers, big plate chicken, pilaf, and naan pit meat. 3. Recommended restaurants: • "Xihai Fishing Village" fish restaurant in Dahekou Scenic Area🐟. • "Ailixier Roasted Whole Lamb🐏" in Korla city. ------ 6. Practical Tips💡 1. Sun protection and wind protection🌞💨: The ultraviolet rays are strong, so you need to prepare a hat🎩, sunglasses🕶️, and sunscreen🧴; the lake breeze is strong, so bring a windproof jacket🧥. 2. Environmentally friendly travel🌍: Do not litter and protect wetland ecology🌿. 3. National etiquette: Respect the local Mongolian and Uyghur customs and avoid taking photos of local people at will. 4. Note for self-driving: The road conditions in some scenic spots are average, so it is recommended to drive an SUV; download offline maps in advance (unstable signal). ------ 7. Recommended nearby tours🚀 • Korla City🏙️: Tiemenguan🚪, Swan River Scenic Area🦢, Bazhong Museum🏛️. • Luobu Village 🏜️ (about 100 kilometers): Experience the desert poplar culture 🌲. • Bayinbuluke Grassland🏞️ (about 300 kilometers): summer grassland + winding sunset🌅. ------ 📝Summary✍️: Bosten Lake combines lakes🌊, deserts🏜️, and wetlands🌿, making it suitable for a 2-3 day in-depth tour🧳. It is recommended to plan an itinerary in combination with Korla and other attractions in southern Xinjiang🗺️. Book your accommodation in advance (tight during peak season) 🛏️, travel light 🎒, and enjoy the vastness and tranquility of Xinjiang ✨!