I will fall in love with Sayram Lake in winter over and over again!

Sisters! If you can only go to one place in winter, I would choose Sayram Lake without hesitation! Even the locals say the winter here is stunningly beautiful. Blue ice 🧊, ice bubbles, snow mushrooms, swan rime frost—it's simply the pinnacle of an ice and snow fairy tale! After going for three years, here’s a super comprehensive guide, quickly save it✨ 📌 Must-read before the trip ✅ Best time: December to February (the best time to see blue ice is mid-January to February) ✅ Temperature reference: -15℃ to -25℃ (feels even colder, keeping warm is the top priority!) ✅ Transportation: ➊ Self-driving: About 6 hours from Urumqi, recommended 4WD off-road vehicle + snow tires ➋ High-speed train: Urumqi → Bole City (4 hours), then charter a car to the scenic area (1 hour) ➌ Group tour: Choose a pure leisure small group with direct shuttle to the scenic area for convenience ❄️ Must-visit spots 1️⃣ "Realm of Blue Ice" South Shore Bay 📸 Photo tips: ✔️ The light is softest from 3 to 5 pm, the ice surface reflects Tiffany blue ✔️ Wearing white/red coats standing on ice cracks makes for amazing photos ✔️ Drone aerial shots of the mysterious ice patterns (advance registration required) 2️⃣ "Ice Bubble Wonder" West side of Dianjiangtai 🌟 A world-class sight! Clusters of methane bubbles frozen under the lake 💡 Recommended to bring a polarizing filter to reduce ice surface glare for clearer shots 3️⃣ "Snowy Swans" Kele Yongzhu 🦢 Winter exclusive! Wild swans still dancing at -20℃ 🍞 You can feed them special corn kernels (sold in the scenic area) 4️⃣ "Ice Waterfall Milky Way" Pine Tree Head 🌌 Perfect spot for stargazing at night! Ice waterfall as foreground + dazzling starry sky ⚠️ Bring a strong flashlight and go with companions 🏂 Immersive experiences 🔥 Ice driving: Limited access to the lake ice road (only for scenic area vehicles) 🔥 Snowmobile: 80 RMB per lap, feel the speed and passion on the ice lake 🔥 Hot spring egg boiling: Santai Grassland geothermal area, experience the contrast of ice and fire 🧥 Dressing guide 👉 Layered clothing: thermal underwear + wool sweater + down jacket + windproof coat 👉 Essential accessories: ▪️ Thick touchscreen gloves (no frozen hands when taking photos) ▪️ Snow anti-slip chains (magic for walking on ice) ▪️ Thermos (hot water points available in the scenic area) ▪️ Foot warmers (keep warm for 8 hours) 💡 Pitfall prevention tips ⚠️ Fog often forms between 9:00-11:00, better to enter the core scenic area in the afternoon ⚠️ Only Santai Grassland offers simple meals inside the scenic area, better to bring your own snacks ⚠️ Phone battery drains very fast, prepare a power bank + keep warm close to your body 🗺 Classic one-day tour route Urumqi → East Gate of Sayram Lake → Lake Ring Road → Dianjiangtai (Ice Bubbles) → Kele Yongzhu (Swans) → South Shore (Blue Ice) → Pine Tree Head (Sunset) → Return When sunlight shines on the diamond-like ice surface, When swans flap their wings breaking the silent morning fog, When the Milky Way slowly spins above the ice waterfall, You will understand why some say "Sayram Lake in winter is a love letter God wrote to the world" 💌