Sayram Lake, Xinjiang | The Last Teardrop Where Ice Meets Water

Located in Bole City, Bortala Mongol Autonomous Prefecture of Xinjiang, Sayram Lake lies in the middle section of the Northern Tian Shan Mountains and is a typical alpine graben lake. 🔸Size: The lake covers 458 square km, with a scenic area of 1,314 square km. At 2,073m above sea level, it is Xinjiang's highest and largest alpine cold-water lake. 🔸Water characteristics: A cold, slightly saline lake with water transparency of 10-12m. The crystal-clear lake holds 21 billion cubic meters of water. Its pristine water comes from surrounding snow melt filtered through gravel layers. 🔸Nickname: Located at the end of the Atlantic warm humid airflow, it's known as "The Atlantic's Last Teardrop." 📍Transportation 🔸From Urumqi: 🚗Driving: About 400 km via G30 Lianhuo Expressway, taking 4-5 hours. 🚅Train/Bus: Take a train to Bole or Yining, then transfer to a shuttle bus (1-2 hours). 🔸From Yining: About 200 km via S220 Provincial Road, taking 3-4 hours by car. 📍Must-see Attractions 🔸Moon Bay: Crescent-shaped bay perfect for photography, with snow-capped mountains reflected in the lake. 🔸Pine Forest: Morning sunlight filtering through pine trees creates stunning light and shadow effects. 🔸Swan Spring: A romantic scene where hot springs meet swans. 🔸West Lake Prairie: In summer, lush grasslands with grazing herds showcase nomadic life. - 📍Featured Activities 🔸Lake Circuit Drive/Cycling: A 90 km lakeside road with numerous scenic stops. 🔸Grassland Camping: Summer stargazing and stays in traditional Kazakh yurts. 🔸Water Activities: Boat tours and fishing (subject to scenic area regulations). - 📍Admission and Hours 🔸Tickets: Low season (November-April) CNY 72.5/person including self-driving pass; Peak season (May-October) CNY 145/person. 🔸Opening hours: 10:00-20:00 year-round. - 📍Travel Tips 🔸Climate and Clothing: Large temperature variations between day and night. Summer requires sun protection (strong UV), winter needs warm clothing. Windproof jackets recommended. 🔸Environmental Protection: Swimming and littering prohibited to protect fragile plateau ecology. 🔸Cultural Respect: Area home to multiple ethnic groups; respect Kazakh and Mongolian customs. 🔸Safety Tips: Avoid slippery areas when taking photos near the lake, be cautious of mountain road conditions when driving.