How to experience the unique cultures of Xinjiang, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan in 70 days (Stop 9 Sailimu Lake)

Sailimu (Sayram) Lake, Xinjiang. Visited 30 June 2024.

I stayed a few days in Yining, Ili, to rest from the gallops on the grass the past few days.  While resting, I made a day trip to Sailimu Lake (Sayram), only about 2 hours drive away, and almost at China’s western border. It was a smooth ride, led by highways. We went through some tunnels in total darkness toward the end and were suddenly greeted by glaring daylight, a flat grassland, and a bright smooth lake.

Sailimu Lake is an alpine lake at 2000m. It is a big lake – more than 90 km to go around it. Regular buses would pick up and drop off visitors at numerous stops around the lake in this scenic area.

Everything seemed so succinctly clear – the water was transparent and flat, and almost nothing floating above it. The grass seen from afar was crewcut and stubby; the grassland joined seamlessly with the lake as they met. The day was bright, the sky blue, and the mountains were watching but at the fringes.

It is such a beautiful place to see and enjoy. Some came here the marriage made in the heavens. Some put up tents for picnics, to be away from it all for a moment. Others were busy taking photos of their best or comical selves. Many were just content to just stroll on the boardwalk that drew the shorelines. Some prefer to be in a fairyland of lush green grass and petite colorful flowers. I wanted it all, so I walked up the gentle slopes of grass with many others, to embrace with open arms this most enchanting and picturesque lake.

One of the most beautiful lakes I have visited, set in such a serene, exclusive place on earth.  

To go to the next Stop, click the link below:

How to experience the unique cultures of Xinjiang, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan in 70 days (Stop 10 Buerjin)

To start from Stop 1, click the link below:

How to experience the unique cultures of Xinjiang, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan in 70 days (Stop 1 Urumqi)

The route map:

The Stops on this Trip:

China Urumqi > Turpan > Kuerle > Kuqa > Kashgar > Kuqa > Nalati (via Duku Scenic Drive) > Kuerdening > Yining > Sailimu Lake > Yining > Urumqi > Buerjin > Kanas Lake > Hemu > China Urumqi > Krygyzstan Bishkek > Bokonbayevo (Issyk kul Lake) > Karakol > Krygyzstan Bishkek > Ubezkistan Tashkent > Tajikistan > Khujand > Panjakent (and Haft Kul/The Seven Lakes) > Iskanderkul > Dushanbe > China Urumqi > Hami > Dunhuang > Jiayuguan > Zhangye > Lanzhou > Xian