Sayram Lake 赛里木湖

About Sayram Lake

Different shores offer different combinations of open water, meadow, wetland and woodland, so a circuit is more varied than one viewpoint suggests. Named stops such as Qinshuitan and the western grassland help organise a visit. Flowers, birds, ice and mountain visibility are seasonal features rather than guaranteed sights on every trip.

Sayram is a closed-basin lake at an elevation of 2,074 metres, covering about 453 square kilometres. Of its thirty-two incoming rivers, seven flow throughout the year. Precipitation, meltwater and groundwater supply the basin, while the surrounding glaciers occupy only about 4.28 square kilometres. The lake's water is slightly brackish.

The surrounding area preserves rock art, ancient tombs, temple ruins, stone inscriptions and former post stations along the northern Silk Road. Sayram became a National Key Scenic Area in 2004 and a National Wetland Park in 2007. Its tourist attraction rating rose from national AAAA in 2010 to AAAAA in April 2021.

What to look for

• Open lake views change with the surrounding grassland and mountain backdrop.
• Qinshuitan and the western shore introduce different lakeside habitats.

Location & getting there

Getting to Sayram Lake

Choose the Sayram Lake entrance and vehicle arrangement shown in your current booking. Confirm the permitted circuit, exit and return transport before setting off; the lake-centre pin is not an entrance.