Sayram Lake, Here I Come!

Sayram Lake, here I come, the last teardrop of the Atlantic Ocean. Finally, in the cold February wind, I understood this phrase! Sayram Lake at -20°C, like a giant sapphire inlaid among the snow-capped mountains, the ice cracks resemble natural ink paintings, and swans glide gracefully. I encountered a red fox poking its head out in the snow. I was truly speechless at the beauty. Current Status of Sayram Lake February-March: Peak blue ice season! The lake surface freezes into a crystal-clear layer of ice, with ice cracks, ice bubbles, and ice flowers everywhere. At sunrise and sunset, the ice surface shimmers with a pinkish-gold hue, breathtakingly beautiful. Early April: Ice shove spectacle during the thawing period. The wind pushes ice floes towards the shore, creating crisp crashing sounds, like a symphony of nature. Swan Season: Swan flocks at Qinshuitan Beach become active, and you can feed them naan bread. Recommended Tour Route Enter from the East Gate (clockwise around the lake) → Moon Bay → Qinshuitan Beach → S-bend Highway → Songshutou → Keleyongzhu → Dianjiangtai → Exit from the South Gate (about 90 km in total) Moon Bay (first stop from the East Gate): Capture reflections of snow-capped mountains, where the ice surface mirrors the sky. Perfect for drone photography! Qinshuitan Beach: Take photos with swans, bring bread crumbs to attract them to swim gracefully closer. S-bend Highway: With the continuous snow-capped mountains as a backdrop, the best lighting is at 4 pm. Capture stunning road trip photos instantly! Songshutou: Climb the boardwalk for a panoramic view of the spruce forest intertwined with the frozen lake. The perfect spot for aerial photography! Keleyongzhu: A solitary lighthouse on the ice, exuding a Japanese atmosphere. Dianjiangtai: The legendary place where Genghis Khan reviewed his troops. Ascend for a distant view and experience the vastness of history. Tips: Tickets during peak season are 75 yuan/person, and an additional 145 yuan/vehicle is charged for self-driving cars. Shuttle buses are not in service. Joining a tour group or chartering a car is recommended. Snow tires are essential! Guide to Stunning Photos for Social Media Blue Ice Wonderland (any part of the lake): Lie on the ice and take "levitation photos." Wearing bright-colored jackets enhances the effect! Popular S-bend: Use a low camera angle to capture the extension of the highway, with the snow-capped mountains as the background, creating a cinematic feel. Keleyongzhu Lighthouse: The red lighthouse in the middle of the frozen lake evokes a sense of solitude and romance. It's recommended to visit at dusk. Swans Playing in the Water: Capture the dynamic moments of swans at Qinshuitan Stone Beach. Ice Shove Spectacle (limited to early April): Ice chunks like crushed diamonds cover the lakeshore. Remember to record a video to capture the sound of cracking ice! Recommended Winter Itineraries Sayram Lake 1-Day Tour: Starting and ending in Yining D1: Yining - Sayram Lake Loop - Yining Sayram Lake 2-Day Tour: Starting and ending in Urumqi D1: Urumqi - Sayram Lake Loop - Sayram Lake D2: Sayram Lake - Anjihai Grand Canyon - Urumqi Sayram Lake 3-Day Tour: Starting and ending in Urumqi D1: Urumqi - Sayram Lake D2: Sayram Lake - Strange Stone Valley - Gudao Hot Springs - Shuanghe D3: Shuanghe - S101 Kenswat Reservoir - Urumqi Embark on your journey with passion!