2024 Summer Trip to Ili: Sailimu Lake

Sailimu Lake can be accessed by self-driving, including tourist buses, with no traffic restrictions! Usually, self-driving cars enter from the east gate and travel counterclockwise through Moon Bay and Waterside Beach to the South Gate's West Sea Grassland. The scenic shuttle bus follows the same route. If you go clockwise, there might be fewer cars along the way. The speed limit for self-driving cars in the lake area is 50 km/h, with stopping points available. There is a red parking lane on the side near the lake. Moon Bay: There are some entertainment projects and photo props. Waterside Beach: Red ox-eye daisies, purple sage, light blue wild flax, beautiful! Swan Water Fun: Not many tourists because there are not many swans. Kele Yongzhu: Tourists come here to see the swans! Same as last year. West Sea Grassland: Close-up view of spruce trees, vast yellow-green fields. Golden Aster: No more globeflowers. At the 18th parking spot in front of the Commander's Platform, there is a dirt road leading slowly and smoothly to the platform, a 5-10 minute walk. On the right is Borhan Mountain and yellow-green meadows. The Commander's Platform parking spot is a congestion point, and after getting off, you need to climb nearly 200 steps to reach the top. To see the sunrise over Sailimu Lake, arrive at the spot before 6:30 AM: Moon Bay is the closest. If you can't reach the lakeshore, you won't see the reflection of the morning glow in the lake. One of the best spots is the West Sea Grassland, facing east. Another is the lakeshore around Waterside Beach, where the red and golden reflections of the morning glow on the lake almost face the snow-capped mountains behind Borhan Mountain to the north. There is a golden mountain view at sunrise, and the green mountains to the south look beautiful in the light and shadow. PS: Most accommodations inside the scenic area are yurts without private bathrooms. A few stargazing tents with bathrooms are available, costing 2000 per night. There are homestays outside the South Gate. There are a few good hotels in the small town outside the East Gate, and other hotels are under construction. Maybe in the next year or two, there will be many accommodation options. The closest place to stay for watching the sunrise is outside the East Gate.