Explore Xinjiang’s Off-the-Beaten-Path Slow Travel Route｜Healing Time in Hot Springs

In June at Sayram Lake, don’t just rush through｜I cycled around the lake, soaked in border hot springs, visited a Xibe family for milk tea—this is the true way to enjoy summer in Xinjiang --- Have you ever seen Sayram Lake at 5 a.m.? The lake surface looks like a freshly polished sapphire, A thin mist gently floats on the water, and the distant snow-capped mountains reflect clearly like a mirror. A swan glides across the ripples, waking the entire grassland. And I just quietly sat by the lake, Waiting for the sun to slowly rise from the Borokonu Ridge— At that moment, I knew: This summer, my trip was worth it. This time, we won’t take the fast “Urumqi → Sayram Lake → Yining” loop, Instead, we slow down the pace, savor the scenery, And complete a truly leisurely route for lifestyle lovers: “Sayram Lake + Hot Springs + Grassland Slow Travel” Not just sightseeing, but living within the scenery. 📍 Route Overview Urumqi → Sayram Lake (lake circuit experience) → Wenquan County (geothermal hot spring healing) → Guozigou Bridge viewpoint → Huocheng Lavender → Yining Liuxing Street → Chabuchar Xibe Ethnic Folk Town → Return to Urumqi 🗓 Recommended duration: 7-8 days｜🚴 Slow pace · Light vacation · Deep cultural experience｜💰 Budget: 4000–5500 RMB/person 🌤 Best season: June – August (green grass, blooming flowers, bluest Sayram Lake water) --- 1-2】Urumqi → Sayram Lake｜Stay lakeside, ride into a fairytale ✅ Arrive at Sayram Lake in the afternoon, choose accommodation near the South or East Gate (avoid crowds at the North Gate Visitor Center) - Options: RV campsite / lakeside guesthouse / upscale tent hotel (some with private bathrooms) 🚴 Core activity: cycle around the lake or drive slowly - About 30 km total, private cars allowed in the scenic area (open since 2023) - Recommended route: enter South Gate → Dianjiangtai → Songshutou → Kele Yongzhu → exit East Gate 📷 Must-capture moments: - “Lake light and snow color” before and after sunrise (snow mountains reflecting on the lake) - Evening S-shaped road backlit cycling silhouette - Nighttime Milky Way spanning the lake (no light pollution area) 🔥 Bonus experiences: - Join lakeside morning yoga classes (offered at some campsites) - Camping stargazing + bonfire party (summer-only events) 🏨 Stay in unique accommodations inside Sayram Lake Scenic Area｜Approx. 400–600 RMB/night (seasonal fluctuation) 💡 Reminder: It’s windy by the lake with significant temperature differences between morning and night, be sure to bring a windbreaker! --- 3】Sayram Lake → Wenquan County｜Soak in a border town’s geothermal hot springs ✅ Drive about 1.5 hours east to Wenquan County (China’s only county named “Hot Springs”) - Located on the China-Kazakhstan border, rich in underground hot water resources, historically a health resort ♨️ Recommended experiences: - Shengquan Mountain Villa or Western Rare Plant Garden Hot Spring Hall: natural sulfur springs, great for relieving fatigue - Family-style hot spring inns: more down-to-earth, affordable (¥80–150/person) 📌 Fun fact: The local Mongolian people call this place “Arishang,” meaning “holy hot spring water,” said to cure many ailments. ✅ Evening visit to the county night market: try authentic handmade yogurt, baked buns, and milk skin 🏨 Stay at Wenquan County hot spring-themed hotel｜Rooms with indoor soaking pools｜Approx. 350 RMB --- 🌉【Day 4】Wenquan → Guozigou Bridge Viewpoint → Huocheng Lavender → Yining ✅ Morning visit to Guozigou Bridge viewpoint (free parking and photo spot) - Admire this “natural barrier turned thoroughfare” mega project, with a deep canyon and a bridge like a silver dragon piercing the clouds - A drone launch spot with breathtaking aerial footage ✅ Arrive at Huocheng Lavender Estate by noon (recommended near Princess Jieyou and Han Princess Memorial Halls) - Peak bloom from late June to mid-July, purple flower sea swaying in the breeze - Try making sachets and tasting lavender tea 📸 Photo tips: - Wear a white long dress for a French countryside vibe - Use telephoto lens to compress the flower field and distant mountains in one frame ✅ Arrive in Yining by evening, stay at Liuxing Street boutique guesthouse 🏨 Stay at Yining Liuxing Street artsy guesthouse｜With terrace views of the mosque｜Approx. 300 RMB --- 👩‍🌾【Day 5】Yining → Chabuchar Xibe Autonomous County｜Step into the last mounted archery ethnic group ✅ Only 30 minutes from Yining, visit Chabuchar Xibe ancient city & folk village - The Xibe are descendants of the Xianbei who migrated here during the Qing dynasty border defense, preserving unique language, script, and archery culture 🎯 Must-do activities: - Archery lesson: draw a traditional composite bow under professional guidance - Make Xibe big flatbread: charcoal oven baked, crispy outside and soft inside - Visit Xibe Folk Museum: learn about the Westward Migration Festival (every lunar April 18) 🏡 Deep recommendation: arrange a visit to a local family, drink salty milk tea, listen to Dongbula music, and chat about daily life (Can be arranged through travel agencies or guesthouse hosts) 🏨 Day trip from Yining, no overnight stay needed 📌 Cultural trivia: Xibe script is a continuation of Manchu script, with fewer than a thousand fluent speakers nationwide. --- 🚘【Day 6-7】Yining → Urumqi｜Complete the loop ✅ Return via Lianhuo Expressway, about 6 hours total - Stop at Jinghe service area for rest and buy local specialties like goji berries and black goji berries ✅ After arriving in Urumqi, end your trip at the International Grand Bazaar Food Street: - Must-eats: red willow grilled meat, handmade yogurt, pomegranate juice, Bahali cake --- Budget Breakdown (per person): Item Cost ------ ------ Round-trip transport (train/flight) ¥1000–1800 Car rental/carpool (including fuel and tolls) ¥2000 Accommodation (7 nights avg. ¥350) ¥2450 Tickets + activities (bike rental, hot springs, archery, etc.) ¥500 Food + souvenirs (lavender products, Xibe cultural crafts, dried fruits) ¥600 Total ¥4000–5500 > 💬Note: Choosing upscale accommodation (e.g., Sayram Lake tent hotel) can raise the budget to ¥6500. --- 🌟 Why is this route called the “Ultimate Leisure Combo”? > Because it perfectly combines three ideal holiday elements: ✅ Natural beauty × Mind-body healing Sayram Lake refreshes your eyes, Wenquan County relaxes your body—a true “body and mind spa.” ✅ Off-the-beaten-path experience × Ethnic warmth From Xibe archery to family visits, you’re no longer a spectator but briefly part of their lives. ✅ Free pace × High photo potential No rush, plenty of time daily to daydream, take photos, and write journals—perfect for couples, families, and friends. --- 📌 Action suggestions: 🎯 If you are: - Looking for a “relaxed yet quality” Xinjiang trip → This route is easy and rich - A lifestyle lover who enjoys cycling, photography, and soaking in hot springs → Sayram Lake + hot springs = double healing - Curious about ethnic minority culture in the city → The Xibe are your most accessible and touching choice 🔥 Best travel time: Late June to mid-July: lavender in full bloom, Sayram Lake water is blue, comfortable temperatures (around 22°C daytime) Book your stay now! Especially accommodations inside Sayram Lake, Weekends in July usually sell out about a month in advance. This summer, Don’t let Sayram Lake become a “just passing glance” regret. Please stay, Cycle around the lake, soak in the spring, And say to a Xibe grandma, “Thank you, your milk tea is delicious.” That will be your Xinjiang memory.