❤️ Xinjiang Family Trip Stop 3 - Finally Reaching the Anticipated Sayram Lake.
Sayram Lake, nestled in the Tianshan Mountains, is a high-altitude lake known for its stunning blue waters, which are among the most beautiful in China. Its breathtaking blue hue is unforgettable.

🎫 Tickets:

• Self-driving: 145 CNY (approximately $20 USD) per person for 24 hours; 190 CNY (approximately $26 USD) per person for 48 hours.
• The scenic drive around the lake is 92 km (approximately 57 miles).

🏨 Accommodation:

• There are no accommodations within the scenic area now. Camping in tents might be too cold. You can stay nearby; we stayed in Wenquan County (approximately 1-hour drive).
• Note: Staying outside the scenic area is recommended for comfort.

🍚 Dining:

• There are restaurants within the scenic area, but they are expensive. It's better to bring your own food: instant meals, instant noodles, naan, bread, etc.

🚗 Self-driving Route:

• East Gate: Both entry and exit.
• South Gate: Exit only.
• Usually, entry is from the East Gate. There are two options: clockwise and counterclockwise.
• Suggestion: If time is limited, enter from the East Gate and explore counterclockwise, exiting from the South Gate. If you have more time, explore clockwise.
• We chose the clockwise route: entering from the East Gate, exploring clockwise, and ending at Santai Grassland to watch the sunset. 🌅

⭕️ Route Highlights:

• Songshu Head (松树头)
• Jinsha Zihui (金沙紫卉)
• Kele Yongzhu (克勒涌珠)
• Western Sea Grassland (西海草原)
• Swan Lake (天鹅乐水)
• General's Terrace (点将台)
• Khan Bay (可汗湾)
• Film City (影视城)
• North Gate (北门)
• Clear Water Beach (清水滩)
• Santai Grassland (三台草原)
• Moon Bay (月亮湾)

Highlight Spots:

• Swan Lake (天鹅乐水) and Kele Yongzhu (克勒涌珠) are great places to see swans, with the most swans at Kele Yongzhu.
• For Sunrise: S Bay (s湾), Kele Yongzhu (克勒涌珠)
• For Sunset: Santai Grassland (三台草原), Ten-Mile Long Dike (十里长堤)

📷 Photography Spots:

• Yellow Flower Meadow: Near the South Gate, the lakeside meadow is full of yellow flowers by early May.
• Swans: Kele Yongzhu (克勒涌珠), bring some naan to feed the swans.
• S Bay: A picturesque S-shaped road with a snowy mountain backdrop, providing rich layers for photos.
• Western Sea Grassland: Beautiful grassland forest by the lake.
• Lighthouse: Great for wide shots with mountains in the background, capturing reflections of people on the water.
• Waterfront Beach: Stunning rocky shallow beach.

🌲 Additional Tips:

• Mohe is not cold during the day in summer, but there's a significant temperature difference between morning and evening, so remember to bring a light jacket.
• Take precautions against mosquitoes to avoid affecting your enjoyment of the trip.
• Due to its remote location, it's not recommended for those unfamiliar with the terrain to drive to Mohe.

Estimated Costs for the Trip:

• Tickets: 290 CNY (approximately $40 USD) per person for 48 hours
• Accommodation: 1,500 CNY (approximately $210 USD) for 3 nights
• Food: 400 CNY (approximately $56 USD) for 3 days
• Transportation: 500 CNY (approximately $70 USD)

Total Estimated Cost: 2,690 CNY (approximately $376 USD)
Note: Costs may vary depending on meal, accommodation, and travel timing.