Sayram Lake Loop Road
A scenic road circling Sayram Lake, the “last tear of the Atlantic,” for about 90 km, with grasslands, pine forests and snow-capped mountain reflections along the way.
Sayram Lake lies between Bole and Yining at an elevation of about 2,070 m. It is the largest and highest mountain lake in Xinjiang. The lakeside loop road runs inside the scenic area and is about 90 km around the lake. Private cars must buy an entrance ticket and a vehicle pass before driving in.
The road follows the lakeshore, and almost every bend reveals a different view of the water. On the eastern shore, Donghai Listening to Waves and the Jinghai Stone Stele are the main stops near the visitor center. On the southern shore, near Guozigou, the Songshutou area has spruce forests and the clearest water on the lake. The southwestern shore has Moon Bay and the Keleyongzhu Spring Shoal. The western shore has Dianjiangtai, and the northern shore has Swan Lake and wide grasslands. In early summer, the lakeside grasslands are covered in wildflowers, and you often see Kazakh herders’ felt yurts and flocks of sheep.
Going around the lake, including stops for photos, takes half a day to a full day. Speed limits inside the scenic area are low, parking at viewpoints is limited, and peak-season weekends are crowded. The lake area has changeable weather, and mornings and evenings are cold. Outside the lakeside loop, most grasslands are closed to vehicles, so park only in designated areas. It can be combined with the Guozigou Grand Bridge, Yining and the Huocheng lavender fields as part of the northern Ili route.