Sailimu Lake Circuit Guide
The complete guide to the last tear of the Atlantic: lakeside road stops, sunrise and sunset photography spots, winter and spring blue ice, and swans. The Sayram Lake loop guide is part of the Xinjiang travel preparatory series: it explains all practical matters such as seasons and days, documents and border permits, private car hire and transportation, payment and internet access, food and accommodation, so you can check everything off before departure.
How to Drive Around the Lake
The lake loop road is about 90 kilometers. Enter from the South Gate and exit from the North Gate clockwise, which is the mainstream route; visit Haixi Grassland, Dajiangtai, Kele Yongzhu, and Xihai Grassland in order. The whole trip takes 4–5 hours, plus half a day for photography. The viewpoint where the scenic area gate and Guozigou Bridge can be shot together is on the mountain road outside the South Gate.
Viewpoints and Lighting
Sunrise occurs on the east shore and sunset on the west shore; in early June, wildflowers bloom by the lake up to the ridge, and in September, golden grass matches the first snow; the lake's "mirror mode" appears on windless mornings.
Blue Ice and Swans
From December to March of the following year, the lake surface is frozen. Ice cracks and blue ice are at their peak in January–February (be sure to only move on ice where permitted); during the spring thaw, there are swan flocks, so photographers should prepare long lenses.
Food, Accommodation, and Temperature
Lakeside accommodation mainly consists of tent camps and wooden cabins, and it gets cold at night by the lake, requiring down jackets; food within the scenic area is expensive and limited in choice, so you can buy road meals in Bole or Yining before entering the lake area.