Sayram Lake

Sayram Lake was known as "Pure Sea" in ancient times. With a transparency of over 10 meters, it boasts the highest transparency among lakes in China and is also one of the country's famous color-changing lakes. Due to its great depth, high transparency, and turquoise-blue water, it is hailed as "the last tear of the Atlantic Ocean". It attracts countless tourists with its pure alpine lake scenery, unique natural landscapes, and rich nomadic culture.

Highlights of Sayram Lake

Moon Bay

Moon Bay

When entering Sayram Lake from the East Gate, the first sight that greets you is Moon Bay. It gets its name from the winding lakeshore that resembles a crescent moon. The water here is clear and azure, and its color changes with sunlight and the sky, like a palette meticulously mixed by nature. There is a long plank road extending to the lakeside, as if it were a path leading to a dreamland. Whether you stand on the plank road with the lake view as the background or set against the snow-capped mountains, you can take satisfying photos.

Swan's Water Play

Swan's Water Play

The scenic spot of Swan's Water Play is located in the lakeside marsh area on the west bank of Sayram Lake and is a paradise for birds. Every year, a large number of migratory birds inhabit here, forage in the lake or play on the shore, with swan flocks in particular breeding here. The Swan's Water Play area has contiguous marshes and numerous lake branches, making it a habitat for swans, common cranes, ruddy shelducks and other birds. Sayram Lake has measures in place to protect swans and rare waterfowl. Every spring and summer, many swans and rare birds come here, which is their paradise. After winter sets in, most of the surface of Sayram Lake freezes over, but only Keleyongzhu remains unfrozen, and the swans on the lake will fly there to inhabit.

Commanding Terrace

The "Commanding Terrace for Recalling Antiquity" at Sayram Lake has over 300 steps to climb. In the middle of the viewing platform of the Commanding Terrace stands a large altar, with four small altars placed on each side. Here, one can feel the history of Genghis Khan (founder of the Mongol Empire, known for his vast military conquests across Eurasia in the 13th century) leading 200,000 troops on his western expedition 800 years ago. Back then, Genghis Khan led his 200,000-strong army, let his horses drink from Sayram Lake, built the terrace to assign commands to his generals, and reviewed the Mongolian cavalry. Genghis Khan's Commanding Terrace, with a history of more than 700 years, remains on the west bank of Sayram Lake.

Santai Grassland Scenic Area

Santai Grassland Scenic Area

During the peak flowering period in June and July every year along the southern bank of Sayram Lake, Santai Grassland Scenic Area is the best place to view flowers. Located to the southwest of Sayram Lake, this scenic area sees various kinds of flowers and plants competing to grow and bloom when the ice and snow melt, making it a great spot to enjoy the sea of flowers. From early June to mid-July, there is an exclusive wildflower feast. Dozens of alpine flower species bloom simultaneously by the lakeside, looking like a huge flower carpet from a distance. Among them, the golden globeflowers and purple irises are the most eye-catching. The best viewing spot is the hidden meadow 5 kilometers on the west bank of the lake, where you can take photos in bright-colored clothes.

S-shaped Bend Road

S-shaped Bend Road

The S-shaped Bend Road is one of the most distinctive photo spots at Sayram Lake. The road winds and twists, with blue lake water on one side and green grassland on the other, while distant snow-capped mountains stretch endlessly, forming a vivid scroll with clear layers. Whether you take photos standing on the road or from the wooden plank road by the side, you can capture images that feel like stylish blockbusters. Especially at sunrise, the soft light spilling over the road adds a touch of mystery to the photos.

Pine Head

Pine Head

Pine Head is a hillside. Hiking up along the mountain plank road, you can overlook the entire view of Sayram Lake. Standing on the top of the hill, you can take in the lake scenery, grasslands, forests and snow-capped mountains all at once, which makes people feel relaxed and happy. Here, you can take panoramic photos of Sayram Lake and keep unique memories.

Educational Value

Sayram Lake is a product of the Himalayan orogenic movement. It was formed by fault depression in the Tianshan Mountains and is a typical "tectonic lake". Its formation process intuitively demonstrates how the movement of Earth's internal plates shapes the surface morphology, making it a vivid textbook for geology.

Activities to do at Sayram Lake

Photography: Moon Bay, Pine Head, S-shaped Bend Road and other spots at Sayram Lake are all popular photography locations.

Outdoor activities experience: You can rent a bicycle and ride along the newly opened 90-kilometer lane, checking in at the S-shaped Bend Road. You can also experience horse riding, galloping on the grassland and enjoying the grassland scenery. Besides, you can take a sailboat to tour the lake and appreciate the clear and azure lake water from different angles.

Folk culture experience: Tourists can rent ethnic costumes, make an appointment in advance to visit the herdsmen's homes by the lake, taste the salty milk tea and nang (a kind of round flatbread) with grassland characteristics, and experience activities such as milking cows and making nang. In addition, you can participate in the bonfire party on the Xihai Grassland at night, singing and dancing around the bonfire.