Xinjiang Winter Sayram Lake Small Group Tour, Sign Contract with Licensed Travel Agency and Pay Deposit to Register
Xinjiang Travel Customized Vehicle Service for a Comfortable Trip, Licensed Fleet, Itinerary Customized as You Wish, Consultation Hotline Landline: 0991-8866234, Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency, Customized Consultation Manager Zhang Jing Phone: 181-3962-2233 (Copy and add as friend for detailed consultation on Xinjiang travel itineraries and prices)
Starry Blue Ice Season:Xinjiang Sayram Lake Winter 7-Day In-Depth Exploration Plan
I. Core Highlights of the Route: Three Secret Realms of Northern Xinjiang in Winter
In winter, Sayram Lake sheds its summer bustle and transforms into a “Blue Ice Planet.” This is not only a “Chinese version of Lake Baikal” pursued by photographers, but also connects the ice and snow wonders of the Ili River Valley with the pristine ecology of the Tianshan hinterland. The itinerary covers three major themes:
Blue Ice Wonder:From December to March of the following year, the lake surface freezes into a 2-meter-thick ice layer, with geological phenomena such as ice bubbles, ice cracks, and ice flowers visible everywhere. Morning sunlight penetrating the ice forms the spectacular “Blue Ice Tunnel.”
Snowfield Ecology:The Guozigou Bridge crosses the forest sea and snowfield, the Yining Swan Spring Wetland gathers Siberian mute swans, and rime and hot spring steam interweave into a fairy-tale world.
Cultural Experience:Visit the winter settlements of people of all ethnic groups, participate in traditional activities such as snowfield buzkashi and horseback archery, and taste steaming hot baursak with milk tea.
II. 7-Day Itinerary Framework (Daily Highlights)
[Day 1:Urumqi Assembly]
Transportation:Take a 7-seat business vehicle (reference vehicle price 800 yuan/day; actual vehicle price subject to customer service quotation) across the Tianshan Mountains, enjoying the Dabancheng windmill array and salt lake snow scenery along the way.
Accommodation:Stay at a four-diamond hotel in Urumqi; in the evening, visit the International Grand Bazaar to shop for handicrafts of various ethnic groups.
[Day 2:First Exploration of Sayram Lake]
Starry Blue Ice Season: Xinjiang Sayram Lake Winter 7-Day In-Depth Exploration PlanCore Experience:
Arrive at the East Gate in the early morning and take the scenic area’s 7-seat sightseeing vehicle (included in the 110 yuan winter self-driving package) around the lake. The first stop is Kele Yongzhu, to photograph ice bubbles and swans in the same frame.
In the afternoon, hike the Songshutou boardwalk and overlook the “Ice Age” landscape of the frozen lake surface and Guozigou Bridge in the same frame.
Special Arrangement:Wait for sunset at Dianjiangtai; when the setting sun dyes the ice surface amber, the drone aerial photography team will capture the stunning scene.
Accommodation:Four-diamond hotel in Jinghe County, tasting authentic roast whole lamb.
[Day 3-4:Sayram Lake In-Depth Creation]
Photography Special Line:
07:00 Take a hot air balloon to overlook the blue ice lake (advance reservation required, cost self-paid)
10:00 Ice surface off-road vehicle crossing (reference price for customized 15-seat minibus 1200 yuan/day; actual vehicle price subject to customer service quotation), visiting rarely-visited ice crack canyons.
15:00 Ice fishing experience; the caught whitefish can be directly handed to the scenic area restaurant for cooking.
Overnight:Sayram Lake RV Camp (with floor heating); at night, participate in the starry sky story session of people of all ethnic groups.
I. Core Highlights of the Route: Three Secret Realms of Northern Xinjiang in Winter[Day 5:Crossing the Snowfield Secret Realm]
Transportation Upgrade:Transfer to a 55-seat luxury tour bus (reference vehicle price 2500 yuan/day; actual vehicle price subject to customer service quotation) to Yining, with stops along the way:
Huocheng Snow Ridge Spruce Reserve:Experience snowmobiles in 10-meter-deep snow.
Yining Swan Spring:Photograph swans in the morning mist; the scenic area provides professional photography vest rental services.
Accommodation:Characteristic homestay in Yining Liuxing Street; in the evening, participate in song and dance gatherings of all ethnic groups.
[Day 6:Zhaosu Heavenly Horses Treading Snow]
Special Experience:
09:00 Watch heavenly horses bathing in snow at Zhaosu Wetland; the herd gallops across waist-deep snowfields, kicking up bursts of snow mist.
14:00 Light hiking on the Xiata Ancient Road, crossing snow wall tunnels and visiting the terminus of the Muzart Glacier.
Accommodation:Zhaosu Hot Spring Hotel, experiencing snowfield hot springs.
[Day 7:Return and Cultural Finale]
In winter, Sayram Lake sheds its summer bustle and transforms into a “Blue Ice Planet.” This is not only a “Chinese version of Lake Baikal” pursued by photographers, but also connects the ice and snow wonders of the Ili River Valley with the pristine ecology of the Tianshan hinterland. The itinerary covers three major themes:Morning:Visit the Ili Prefecture Museum, focusing on the history of the Protectorate General to Pacify the West and exhibitions of costumes of various ethnic groups.
Afternoon:Flexibly arranged according to flight time; you may visit the Kazanqi Folk Custom Area to photograph the blue Uyghur architectural complex.
III. 2026 Winter Price System Explanation
Basic Fee Includes:
Transportation:Licensed tourism vehicles throughout the entire journey starting and ending in Urumqi (7-55 seats allocated according to group size)
Accommodation:6 nights four-diamond hotel + 1 night RV camp (including breakfast)
Travel across Northern and Southern Xinjiang without worry, professional customized vehicle service for customized independent travel, Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency landline hotline: 0991-8866234, exclusive customer service manager Zhang Jing phone: 181-3962-2233 (same number on WeChat, can be added)
Tickets:Sayram Lake winter self-driving package 110 yuan/person (valid for 48 hours)
Service:Professional tour leader + aerial photographer + medical kit accompanying
Optional Upgrade Packages:
Ice Activity Combo:Off-road vehicle crossing + hot air balloon + fishing 680 yuan/person
Photography Special Service:Time-lapse photography equipment rental + post-processing fine retouching 450 yuan/person
Blue Ice Wonder: From December to March of the following year, the lake surface freezes into a 2-meter-thick ice layer, with geological phenomena such as ice bubbles, ice cracks, and ice flowers visible everywhere. Morning sunlight penetrating the ice forms the spectacular “Blue Ice Tunnel.”Specialty Dining:Snowfield hot pot dinner + Swan Spring picnic basket 320 yuan/person
Special Fee Notes:
Register before December 15 to enjoy an early-bird discount of 300 yuan/person off
2 people traveling together receive a Xinjiang dried fruit gift box; 4 people traveling together upgrade to a 55-seat first-class bus
The final price is subject to the signed travel contract and may change due to fuel price fluctuations
IV. Registration and Contract Signing Process
Consultation Channel:
Call Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency customer service manager Zhang Jing daily from 09:00-21:00
Staff will provide an electronic itinerary and contract template within 2 hours
Contract Signing Notice:
Valid identification information of all members is required for scenic area registration
Snowfield Ecology: Guozigou Bridge crosses the forest sea and snowfield, Yining Swan Spring Wetland gathers Siberian mute swans, and rime and hot spring steam interweave into a fairy-tale world. Pay a deposit of 2000 yuan/person (remaining balance paid in full 7 days before departure)
Bank transfers and third-party payment platforms are supported (cash transactions not accepted)
V. Service Guarantee System
Protection:
Each vehicle is equipped with anti-skid chains, satellite phones, and emergency oxygen bags
Tour leaders hold Red Cross first aid certificates and snowfield driving qualification certificates
Insured with 8 million yuan travel agency liability insurance + 500,000 yuan travel accident insurance
Itinerary Flexibility:
When blizzard traffic control occurs, backup plans are automatically activated:Reroute to the northern section of the Duku Highway to visit Qiao’erma Glacier
Daily activity times can be dynamically changed according to sunrise times (winter sunrise around 10:15)
Cultural Respect:
Cultural Experience: Visit the winter settlements of people of all ethnic groups, participate in traditional activities such as snowfield buzkashi and horseback archery, and taste steaming hot baursak with milk tea.Specially compiled “Handbook of Customs of Various Ethnic Groups”; unauthorized photography of winter settlement host families is prohibited
Multilingual translation devices provided to facilitate smooth communication with local residents
VI. Pre-Departure Recommended Checklist
Documents:Original valid identification + 2 copies, spare batteries for photography equipment
Clothing:-30°C cold-resistant outdoor jacket, high-top snow boots, touchscreen gloves
Electronics:Offline maps (“Sayram Lake Ice and Snow Edition” layer recommended), power banks (20000mAh or above recommended)
Others:Warm patches (attach to the back of your phone to prevent shutdown), folding snow shovel, sealed bags (to protect electronic devices)
VII. Special Notes
Scenic Area Policy:In winter 2026, the “Blue Ice Protection Plan” is implemented, with a daily limit of 2000 people; self-driving slots must be reserved 3 days in advance
Photography Golden Hours:10:00-14:00 ice surface reflection is softest; entry to ice crack areas is prohibited after 17:00
Environmental Requirements:Glass products are prohibited in the park; garbage must be taken to recycling points
This winter, let the blue ice of Sayram Lake witness your spirit of exploration. Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency, with 20 years of Northern Xinjiang operating experience, creates for you an ice and snow journey that balances breadth and depth. Act now and lock in your limited seat!
For Xinjiang travel, choose Pathfinder International Travel Agency; customized vehicle travel is worry-free and reliable. Landline: 0991-8866234 Customer Service Manager Zhang Jing Phone: 181-3962-2233
